Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned what he described as an attempt to humiliate ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, warning that such actions diminish the country’s democratic credentials.
Atiku made the remarks during a visit to El-Rufai’s residence in Abuja, where he addressed supporters and political associates amid reports that security operatives tried to apprehend the former governor on arrival in the country.
According to accounts circulating within political circles, officials of the Department of State Services allegedly sought to detain El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after he landed on an EgyptAir flight from Cairo.
However, Atiku questioned the necessity and optics of such a move.
He argued that due process should guide any engagement with a public figure who has previously served at the highest levels of government.
“In a democracy governed by law, there is no justification for public humiliation,” Atiku said.
“If there were issues to address, a formal invitation would have sufficed. Attempting to stage an arrest in that manner sends the wrong message.”
Moreover, he stressed that El-Rufai’s past roles as minister and governor warranted institutional respect, regardless of political differences.
“When leaders who have served this country are treated without decorum, it reflects poorly on all of us,” he added.
The former vice president further maintained that any perceived harassment of opposition figures risks eroding public trust in governance.
“We must protect the integrity of our institutions. Actions that appear punitive or excessive only deepen political divisions,” he said.