Tuesday, June 7, 2026 - Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, wife of the former Kaduna State governor, issued an emotional plea to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening, July 7, urging him to ensure fair treatment for her husband while pointing to their active role in ‘securing’ Tinubu’s 2023 electoral triumph.
Alongside El-Rufai’s second wife, Aichatou, Asiya spoke
following the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission's arrest of the former governor's personal doctor, Prof. Bello
Abubakar.
The family stated that the detained politician, who they say
is managing severe hypertension and high blood sugar, has been isolated from
essential medical care. Meeting with reporters in Abuja, Asiya emphasized that
they are not seeking an interruption of the judicial process, but rather the
basic constitutional protections granted to all citizens, such as legal
counsel, family visitation, medical access, and reasonable bail conditions.
Directly addressing President Tinubu, she highlighted the
intensive campaign efforts her family undertook on his behalf during the last
election cycle. She said;
“Mr. President Sir, I campaigned for
you. I stood up and went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My
husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves? The ball is in
your court, Mr. President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe
that you are a father and we know you can empathise.”
Insisting that the family is merely seeking justice rather
than political intervention, she added
“Please let him go free. I am not
asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow
him the basic human rights that the Constitution you swore to uphold and defend
guarantees. Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let
the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court decide.”
Asiya noted that the strict limits placed on visitors and
medical professionals have caused severe emotional distress for the
family.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We
live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
I honestly think that what they are
doing is more about psychological warfare against Malam and against his family.
If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that
affects Malam.”
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves,
but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard. Malam cannot
adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited
access to his lawyers,” she stressed.
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