Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised what he described as an attempt by security operatives to apprehend former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, calling the move a national embarrassment.
Reports indicate that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly tried to arrest El-Rufai shortly after he landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard an EgyptAir flight from Cairo.
During a solidarity visit to El-Rufai’s Abuja residence on Thursday, Atiku Abubakar argued that the situation could have been handled with greater respect and adherence to due process.
According to him, if security agencies had concerns, they should have formally invited the former governor rather than confronting him at the airport.
“Nigeria is governed by the rule of law,” Atiku said. “There was no justification for what appeared to be an attempt to embarrass or intimidate someone who has served this country as a minister and as a governor.”
He maintained that such actions reflect poorly not just on the individual involved but on the country as a whole. Atiku pledged solidarity with El-Rufai and other citizens, insisting that lawful procedures must be upheld at all times.
Atiku Rallies Support for ADC in FCT Polls
In a separate development, Atiku declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) remains the most viable platform to steer Nigeria out of its current political and economic difficulties.
The former presidential candidate made the remarks while campaigning for Dr. Moses Paul, the ADC chairmanship hopeful for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), ahead of the February 21 Federal Capital Territory area council elections.
Atiku joined the party’s campaign activities in parts of AMAC, beginning with an outreach event in Apo Wasa, where he met with residents and party supporters.
Also Read: Baba-Ahmed: ADC Lacks Political Heavyweights Like Buhari and Tinubu
In a post shared via his official X account, he described Dr. Paul—popularly known as Dr. Mo—as a youthful and relatable candidate capable of repositioning the municipal council for progress.
He urged voters across the Federal Capital Territory, particularly in AMAC, to back ADC candidates at the polls, describing the election as an opportunity to initiate political transformation from the grassroots.
According to Atiku, supporting the ADC in the council elections would mark the beginning of a broader effort to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at higher levels of government.
Reaffirming his confidence in the party, he stated that the ADC offers what he considers the most credible alternative for addressing Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic and governance challenges.