El-Rufai’s Detention: Peter Obi, Momodu Break Silence, Demand Release

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dele Momodu have renewed calls for the release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) amid ongoing legal proceedings.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former Anambra State governor had consistently maintained that any allegations against El-Rufai should be properly established and determined through due process.

Zekeri said Obi had previously raised concerns about the former governor’s continued detention, arguing that if there was a case against El-Rufai, it should be presented before a court rather than allowing the matter to remain unresolved.

El-Rufai has been involved in separate legal proceedings relating to his detention and investigations. The ICPC has maintained that its actions were backed by court orders, while the former governor has challenged aspects of the proceedings and his continued detention.

In a separate development, the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned El-Rufai’s ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit against the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation to October 27, 2026. The case concerns his challenge to a search of his Abuja residence and related actions by law enforcement authorities.

Momodu, who is also a member of the ADC, separately criticised El-Rufai’s continued detention during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief. He said the former governor’s previous political contributions should be considered in assessing his current situation.

Momodu also defended the decision by the ADC to include El-Rufai in its political structure despite his detention, saying the appointment recognised his political role.

He further referenced El-Rufai’s involvement in the political process that preceded President Bola Tinubu’s emergence, arguing that the former governor had previously worked within the same political establishment.

While acknowledging that no politician is without controversy, Momodu described El-Rufai as an influential political figure in northern Nigeria and said the former governor’s ongoing legal situation should be handled through the appropriate processes.

Obi’s position, as conveyed by his media aide, is that any allegations against El-Rufai should be tested through the courts, while Momodu has publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding his continued detention. The legal proceedings involving the former governor remain ongoing.