The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for fair and equitable treatment of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing him as a pivotal figure in the political coalition that led to the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.
In a statement issued on Monday, the group’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, said El-Rufai’s contributions particularly in mobilising support across Northern Nigeria were instrumental to Tinubu’s electoral success.
According to MURIC, its campaign for the emergence of a Yoruba Muslim president began in 2021, driven by concerns over what it described as the marginalisation of Muslims in the South-West. The group said this advocacy led to strategic engagements with key political actors, including El-Rufai, whom it identified as a central figure capable of galvanising northern backing for the project.
The organisation noted that El-Rufai consistently championed the principle of power rotation to the South and played a significant role in rallying northern governors and stakeholders in support of Tinubu’s candidacy. It added that his participation in high-level campaign engagements further strengthened the president’s national appeal.
MURIC also accepted responsibility for mobilising support among Muslim communities nationwide, maintaining that it would not distance itself from individuals who contributed to what it described as a “national assignment.”
“We will not disown what we initiated, nor abandon a leader who responded to our call simply because he is currently facing challenges,” the statement read.
While reaffirming respect for the independence of the judiciary, the group argued that the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s ongoing legal issues extend beyond the courtroom and should be viewed within a broader political context.
It cautioned against what it described as selective accountability, noting that several public office holders facing similar legal scrutiny remain at liberty.
MURIC concluded that El-Rufai’s role in the 2023 political transition should be duly acknowledged, urging that he be accorded fair treatment in line with the rule of law and principles of justice.
