Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives and son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly expressed his gratitude to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for his unwavering support during his father’s prolonged detention. Bello shared this sentiment in a recent interview with Ibrahim Ismaila Ahmed, which gained significant traction online.
During the viral interview, Bello El-Rufai highlighted how Obi’s repeated calls to check on his father taught him a profound personal lesson. He admitted to having been critical of the former Labour Party presidential candidate in the past, making Obi’s show of empathy particularly impactful.
Nasir El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 18, over an ongoing investigation. His detention has drawn considerable public attention, with various political figures and opposition voices calling for his release or questioning the circumstances surrounding his continued confinement.
While thanking numerous political heavyweights who reached out to the family, including Waziri Adamawa, Rotimi Amaechi, Jagaban, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Bello specifically singled out Peter Obi for his consistent personal outreach. He recounted, “Particularly Governor Peter Obi, you know, he kept calling, you know, like he would just call me just to see how… And for me at 38 years old, it’s a lesson in life.”
This gesture of solidarity from Obi is not new; he had previously condemned El-Rufai’s detention, describing it as an act of political persecution. The calls from Obi underscore a nuanced aspect of Nigerian politics, where personal connections can transcend political divides.
Bello El-Rufai also offered insight into his father’s activities while in detention, stating that the former governor has been utilizing the time to read, study the Quran, and reflect on his life and extensive work. According to Bello, it is a period for Malam (Nasir El-Rufai) “to finish books, catch up, read the Qur’an, which is always, for his, you know, for 10 years he’s been working. So it’s also a moment for him to, in isolation, to reflect, to plan better, to tone down, and things like that.”
The expression of gratitude from El-Rufai’s son provides a glimpse into the human side of political rivalries, emphasizing the importance of compassion even amidst differing ideologies and ongoing investigations.