Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed appreciation to NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for regularly checking on his detained father.

Bello said Obi’s concern came as a lesson to him, especially because he had previously been critical of the former Anambra governor.

Speaking in a video, El-Rufai’s son said several prominent politicians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, had contacted him to ask about his father.

He, however, singled out Peter Obi for particular appreciation.

“Politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others called me to ask about my dad.

“I would like to thank them, particularly Mr Peter Obi. He always called me to ask about my dad. And for me, at 38, it’s a lesson in life because, in the case of Obi, I used to be critical of him,” he said.

Bello added that his father was using the period in detention to read, study the Quran, and reflect on his experiences.

“And for Malam, he is using the time to finish books, catch up, read the Quran, so it’s also a moment for him in isolation to reflect, plan better, and tone down on things like that,” he added.

Obi had earlier publicly criticised the detention of the former Kaduna governor, describing it as “political persecution” and calling for the rule of law to prevail.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 18, following investigations by anti-corruption authorities. The ICPC confirmed at the time that he was in its custody in connection with ongoing investigations.

The former governor has subsequently faced legal proceedings relating to allegations brought against him by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). (Nigerian Tribune)