Peter Obi deserves protection, El-Rufai must get justice — Kwankwaso

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Thursday criticised the Federal Government’s handling of concerns raised by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as well as the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, urging authorities to uphold justice, fairness and the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Kwankwaso said Obi deserved full state protection after expressing fears about his safety, while El-Rufai should be accorded due process and a fair trial in line with constitutional provisions.

Reacting to Obi’s recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, in which the former Anambra State governor alleged that his businesses were being frustrated because of his opposition role and expressed concerns about his safety, Kwankwaso faulted the Federal Government’s response.

> “Let me state clearly: like every Nigerian, our presidential candidate and all of us deserve the full protection of the state, not ridicule for raising legitimate concerns,” he said.

He added:

> “A government entrusted with protecting citizens should not dismiss or mock credible calls for help from any individual, including Mr. Peter Obi.”

Kwankwaso also expressed concern over the continued detention of El-Rufai, saying he was disturbed after watching the former governor’s wives publicly speak about the family’s ordeal.

> “Regardless of political affiliation, Malam El-Rufai, like every Nigerian, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court,” he stated.

He argued that the delay in granting El-Rufai bail under what he described as “stringent and unreasonable conditions” was troubling, insisting that, as an unconvicted citizen, the former governor deserved a fair and expeditious trial while his health and the welfare of his family should be protected.

Kwankwaso urged the Federal Government to address both matters with transparency, accountability and justice, warning against the use of state institutions to settle political disputes.

> “These issues must not be weaponised to settle political scores. For our democracy to truly thrive, every citizen—young or old, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political persuasion—must receive equal and equitable treatment under the law from the government that exists to protect us all,” he said.

Obi had, during an interview on With Chude, alleged that the current administration was frustrating his activities and expressed fears that he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election. He also claimed that his businesses had suffered because of his role in the opposition.

His remarks drew a sharp response from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which dismissed the claims as “hallucination” and suggested that the former presidential candidate should undergo psychiatric evaluation.