By Chiemeka Ugwowo
My husband fought for your victory, don’t persecute him — El-Rufai’s wife tells Tinubu”
The wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu over her husband’s continued detention, saying the former governor does not deserve to be persecuted after working for the President’s victory in 2023.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday alongside another wife of the former governor, Aichatou El-Rufai, Asiya urged President Tinubu to ensure that El-Rufai’s constitutional rights are protected.
She said the family was not asking the President to stop the ongoing legal process or interfere with the courts, but wants him to ensure that El-Rufai gets access to medical care, his lawyers, family members and reasonable bail conditions.
“Mr President, I campaigned for you. I stood up and went to every part of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?” she asked.
Asiya said El-Rufai, who she disclosed has health challenges including high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied regular access to his personal doctors.
Her comments followed the reported arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The former governor’s wife insisted that the family was not seeking special treatment, but fairness and respect for his rights under the law.
“If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide. We are only asking that he is given the rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” she said.
She alleged that restrictions on visits by relatives and limited access to lawyers had made it difficult for El-Rufai to prepare his defence.
The family also raised concerns over a medical report allegedly linked to the National Hospital, Abuja, calling for proper investigation into its authenticity.
Asiya further alleged that the continued detention of her husband had subjected the family to emotional distress and fear.
“We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
The family appealed for a fair legal process, insisting that El-Rufai should be allowed to defend himself while enjoying his basic constitutional rights.
