Kwankwaso Calls for State Protection for Peter Obi and Due Process for El-Rufai

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has formally urged the Federal Government to prioritize justice and the rule of law in its handling of high-profile political cases involving Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai.

In a statement released on Thursday, Kwankwaso criticized the current administration’s dismissive response to safety concerns raised by the NDC’s 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. During a recent media appearance, Obi alleged that his political opposition to the government has led to the destabilization of his business interests and expressed fears regarding his personal security, suggesting he might not survive until the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso argued that state protection is a fundamental right for every citizen and stated that the government should not mock or ridicule individuals who raise legitimate security concerns. “A government entrusted with protecting citizens should not dismiss or mock credible calls for help from any individual,” Kwankwaso remarked.

The government has previously responded to Obi’s claims by dismissing them as unfounded, with some political opponents suggesting that such fears are not grounded in reality.

Simultaneously, Kwankwaso addressed the ongoing detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Expressing concern over the family’s public appeals, Kwankwaso asserted that El-Rufai is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial under the constitution. He specifically criticized the conditions surrounding El-Rufai’s detention, labeling the bail requirements as “stringent and unreasonable,” and called for a more transparent legal process.

The call for El-Rufai’s fair treatment follows recent public complaints from his family, including allegations that the government is weaponizing the judicial and health systems against him and his associates.

Concluding his statement, Kwankwaso warned against the use of state institutions to settle political grievances. He emphasized that for Nigeria’s democracy to remain stable, the government must ensure that all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity, or religion, receive equitable treatment under the law.