“We Campaigned for You, Treat My Husband Fairly,” El-Rufai’s Wife Appeals to Tinubu
The wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure her husband receives fair treatment, saying the family only seeks respect for his constitutional rights amid his ongoing trial.
Speaking alongside El-Rufai’s other wife, Aishatu, at their Abuja residence on Tuesday, Asiya said the family was not asking the President to interfere with the judicial process but to ensure that the former governor is granted the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
She recalled the support she and her husband gave Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign, saying they worked tirelessly across Kaduna State to mobilise support for his election.
Addressing the President, she said, “Mr President, I campaigned for you. My husband stood firmly by your side. Is this what our family deserves?” She added that the President has the authority to ensure justice and fairness prevail.
Asiya urged the authorities to grant El-Rufai bail on conditions he can reasonably meet, stressing that the court should determine his innocence or guilt. She also alleged that the former governor, who is reportedly battling high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied adequate medical care, access to his personal doctors, lawyers and family members.
According to her, the restrictions have subjected the family to emotional distress and made it difficult for El-Rufai to properly prepare his defence.
She also questioned the reported decision preventing El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, from seeing him, asking who issued the alleged directive from “above.”
The family further called for an investigation into a medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, raising concerns over its authenticity and the circumstances surrounding its issuance.
The appeal came shortly after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements linked to the former governor’s court-approved medical visit while in custody.
The commission also maintained that it facilitated El-Rufai’s hospital visit in compliance with a court order and stated that he failed to appear before the Kaduna State High Court for the commencement of his accelerated trial after insisting on seeing his personal doctor before proceeding to court.
