By Chimezie Godfrey
The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for fair and transparent treatment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that the rule of law and due process must prevail in the handling of any allegations against him.
Obi, who is currently in the United States, said he was emotionally touched after watching a viral video of El-Rufai’s wife, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, expressing grief over what she described as the ill-treatment of her husband.
In a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday and titled, “A Wife’s Tears, A Nation’s Conscience: Let Justice Have a Heart,” the former Anambra State governor stressed that justice should never be perceived as punitive before trial.
According to him, every Nigerian, irrespective of status or political affiliation, deserves equal protection under the law.
”I woke this morning in America and was deeply moved by an emotional viral video of Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, prompting deep reflection on our nation’s future,” Obi wrote.
He added: “Regardless of the allegations against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or any other citizen, justice must be transparent and fair, with reasonable bail conditions that should not be seen as punitive before trial. In a democracy governed by the rule of law, institutions exist to protect every citizen’s rights, regardless of their background.”
Obi cautioned against what he described as selective justice, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and threaten national cohesion.
”We must resist any hint of selective justice that erodes public trust and threatens national unity. Those tasked with enforcing our laws must act professionally and strictly follow due process,” he stated.
The former governor further urged authorities to uphold the principles of justice, fairness and human dignity, saying these remain essential to building the “New Nigeria” envisioned by his movement.
”Let us strive for a Nigeria where the law is paramount, and where every citizen is guaranteed dignity and justice. This is the foundation of the New Nigeria we envisage,” Obi said.