A civil society coalition, Kaduna Voices United (KVU), has criticized recent comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing them as evidence of double standards on accountability.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Yariok Makama Goje, KVU acknowledged concerns about El-Rufai’s health and welfare but insisted such issues should not overshadow ongoing legal allegations against the former governor.
The coalition was reacting to Atiku’s warning that the Federal Government should be held responsible if anything adverse happens to El-Rufai, following reports that he suffered a nosebleed while in detention. Atiku had described the situation as troubling in a democratic setting and called for transparency over the agency responsible for his detention.
KVU, however, questioned what it termed the absence of similar advocacy during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023, when allegations of financial mismanagement and intimidation of critics were frequently raised.
According to the group, the legal challenges facing El-Rufai should be addressed through due process rather than political intervention aimed at securing premature vindication.
The coalition noted that the Department of State Services (DSS) had filed charges against the former governor at the Federal High Court in Abuja, linked to comments he allegedly made during a February 2026 interview on Arise TV. The charges reportedly include unlawful wiretapping, failure to report intercepted communications, and actions considered capable of compromising national security.
KVU also referenced ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into alleged corruption, abuse of office, and procurement violations during El-Rufai’s administration. It stressed that allegations involving diversion of public funds tied to major infrastructure projects require thorough legal scrutiny.
The coalition argued that selective outrage undermines public confidence in institutions, insisting that transparency and human rights protections must apply equally to all individuals regardless of political affiliation.
KVU therefore urged political leaders to demonstrate consistency in defending democratic values while calling on the Federal Government to ensure due process, clarity surrounding El-Rufai’s detention, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
By Palma Ileye, Abuja
