Paul Ibe, the media representative for ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has formally requested that President Bola Tinubu re-examine the ongoing imprisonment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. In a statement issued on July 9, 2026, Ibe characterized the detention as unjust and pressed for the President to authorize an immediate release.
Highlighting the importance of ethical governance, Ibe emphasized that political authority should serve the collective interest rather than acting as a tool for suppression. He noted that El-Rufai has been held for 144 days and argued that this duration is unacceptable. Ibe clarified that his call for justice is rooted in the fundamental rights of all Nigerians, regardless of political association, rather than El-Rufai’s ties to the ADC coalition.
Citing the distress of the former governor’s family, Ibe concluded that the most appropriate course of action for President Tinubu is to honor the requests of El-Rufai’s spouses and grant an unconditional release.
