The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government and relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, receives fair and just treatment in accordance with the rule of law.
Obi made the appeal from the United States of America, where he is currently attending official engagements, saying he was emotionally touched after watching a viral video showing the wife of the former governor, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, expressing distress over her husband’s detention.
The frontline opposition leader said that regardless of the allegations against El-Rufai, every Nigerian citizen deserves justice that is transparent, impartial, and rooted in due process.
In a statement titled, “A Wife’s Tears, A Nation’s Conscience: Let Justice Have a Heart,” and signed by the spokesman of Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Idris Zekeri Jnr, Obi stressed that the rule of law remains the bedrock of any democratic society.
He said: “I woke this morning in America and was deeply moved by an emotional viral video of Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, prompting deep reflection on our nation’s future.
The statement reads in part, “Regardless of the allegations against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or any other citizen, justice must be transparent and fair, with reasonable bail conditions that should not be seen as punitive before trial. In a democracy governed by the rule of law, institutions exist to protect every citizen’s rights, regardless of their background.
“We must resist any hint of selective justice that erodes public trust and threatens national unity. Those tasked with enforcing our laws must act professionally and strictly follow due process.”
According to Obi, Nigeria can only progress when citizens have confidence in the fairness of its institutions and the impartiality of its justice system.
He warned that perceptions of selective enforcement of the law could deepen divisions and weaken public trust in government institutions, stressing that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
The former Anambra State governor further urged authorities to uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens, noting that respect for human dignity and adherence to due process are essential pillars of democratic governance.
“Let us strive for a Nigeria where the law is paramount, and where every citizen is guaranteed dignity and justice. This is the foundation of the New Nigeria we envisage,” Obi stated.
The presidential candidate maintained that national unity and stability are best preserved when citizens are assured that the law applies equally to all, irrespective of status, political affiliation, ethnicity, or religion.
