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. ExecutiveBranch
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.