•El-Rufai and Atiku
Former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, paid a solidarity visit to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and stalwart of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following a failed attempt to arrest him at the airport.
Atiku disclosed the visit on his Facebook page today, noting that El-Rufai was unfazed by the incident and remains committed to his vision for a better Nigeria.
“Last night, I paid a solidarity visit to the former Governor of Kaduna State and stalwart of the African Democratic Congress, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, following the failed attempt to arrest him at the airport upon his arrival in the country. He was unfazed by the incident and remains committed to the battle to enthrone a better Nigeria,” Atiku wrote.
The former vice-president shared photos from the visit, showing him in a closed-door meeting with El-Rufai at a private residence.
He also accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of acting in a partisan manner.
However, ICPC is yet to respond to the allegation as of the time of filing this report.
The development comes amid growing political tension following El-Rufai’s recent association with the African Democratic Congress and public criticism of federal authorities.
El-Rufai has, in recent weeks, raised concerns about possible moves by security agencies against him, following his public criticisms of the federal government and his growing engagement with opposition politics.
Reports emerged yesterday that security operatives attempted to stop him at the airport shortly after his return to Nigeria.
His aides claimed the operatives did not present a warrant, leading to a confrontation before he was eventually allowed to leave the terminal.
