An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has cautioned the Federal Government (FG) against any attempt to intimidate or arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. The group argued that such an action would tarnish the democratic reputation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The warning followed El-Rufai’s recent statement, in which he claimed there were rumors of a plot by the FG to detain him. In a press release issued on February 12, 2025, MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, expressed concerns that arresting the former governor would be perceived as a crackdown on political dissent.
“Considering the immense contribution of former Governor El-Rufai to the victory of the ruling party at the 2023 general elections, as well as the big role played by him in the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we advise the FG against intimidating him if the rumor is true,” the statement read.
MURIC further warned that such a move could undermine the global perception of Nigeria’s democratic governance.
“Doing so will stain the good name of the Tinubu administration as a democratic government and portray it as one willing to crack down on dissent. On the contrary, allowing El-Rufai to move freely in and out of the country will continue to earn FG respect from the rest of the world,” the organization stated.
The Federal Government has yet to respond to El-Rufai’s claims or MURIC’s concerns. However, political observers believed this development could escalate tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
