Coalition Tackles Atiku’s Remarks On El-Rufai’s Detention

Kaduna Voices United (KVU), a civil society coalition, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his comments regarding the detention of ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

“The DSS has filed three charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, primarily stemming from comments made during a February 13, 2026, interview on Arise TV.

“In this interview, El-Rufai claimed to have intercepted phone calls belonging to the National Security Adviser, an assertion that has raised eyebrows and provoked legal action.

“The charges against him include unlawful wiretapping, failure to report intercepted communications, and compromising national security.”

Atiku had expressed concern over El-Rufai’s health following reports of a nosebleed in detention and called for transparency.

KVU responded by accusing Atiku of double standards, noting his silence during El-Rufai’s tenure (2015–2023), which was marked by allegations of corruption and intimidation.

KVU emphasized that El-Rufai faces serious legal challenges, including charges from the Department of State Services (DSS) for unlawful wiretapping and compromising national security, as well as investigations by the EFCC and ICPC into alleged diversion of ₦432 billion and procurement infractions.

The coalition argued that sympathy for El-Rufai should not overshadow the need for accountability and due process, urging political leaders to uphold justice consistently, regardless of affiliations.