|By Chinwendu Nwani
A civil society group, Kaduna Voices United, has fiercely criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his remarks on the arrest, detention and prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Chairman, Yariok Makama Goje, the coalition accused Atiku of double standards, arguing that his reaction to El-Rufai’s detention exposes inconsistency in demands for accountability and good governance.
The group responded to comments attributed to Atiku, who reportedly warned that the Federal Government must be held responsible if anything happens to El-Rufai, following reports that the former governor suffered a nosebleed while in custody. Atiku had described the situation as “deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy” and demanded clarity on which security agency detained him.
However, Kaduna Voices United faulted the former Vice President’s stance, insisting that public concern over El-Rufai’s health should not overshadow the grave legal allegations he faces.
“The silence from key political actors during the years of reported financial mismanagement and intimidation of critics in Kaduna raises serious questions about their present moral posture,” Goje stated.
The coalition emphasised that El-Rufai’s legal troubles stem from serious allegations, including criminal charges reportedly filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), alongside investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the group, the DSS charges involve claims of illegal wiretapping, failure to disclose intercepted communications, and actions allegedly endangering national security.
Beyond the security-related allegations, the coalition noted that anti-corruption agencies are probing financial activities during El-Rufai’s tenure from 2015 to 2023. It specifically referenced EFCC investigations into the alleged diversion of N432 billion and suspected money laundering linked to major infrastructure projects, including the Kaduna light rail initiative.
“Misappropriating public funds in a country battling limited resources and underfunded public services constitutes a grave betrayal of public trust,” the statement read. The ICPC, it added, is examining allegations of abuse of office and procurement violations, further compounding the gravity of the accusations.
The group warned against what it described as political attempts to prematurely sanitise El-Rufai’s image despite ongoing legal scrutiny.
“These allegations require thorough judicial examination, not selective outrage or politically motivated sympathy,” Goje said, stressing that accountability mechanisms must operate without fear or favour.
Kaduna Voices United also criticised what it described as a pattern of selective advocacy, arguing that calls for transparency in detention must apply universally — not only when politically connected individuals are involved.
“It is commendable to demand transparency in any detention,” the coalition noted, “but that principle must extend to all Nigerians facing corruption or security-related allegations.”
The group concluded that El-Rufai’s case reflects broader concerns about governance, rule of law and ethical standards in public office. It warned that elevating personal health concerns above allegations of misuse of power risks entrenching a culture of impunity.
The controversy continues to generate debate nationwide, as legal proceedings and investigations by the DSS, EFCC and ICPC unfold.
