We campaigned for you, grant my husband fair treatment, El-Rufai’s wife tells Tinubu

Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly appealed to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to ensure her husband receives fair treatment. Speaking at their Abuja residence, Asia emphasized the trauma her family has endured, despite their significant support for Tinubu's presidential campaign in 2023. She stressed that their plea is not for interference in the ongoing trial but for the guarantee of El-Rufai's constitutional rights.

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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?

Asia recounted her personal involvement in campaigning across Kaduna State for Tinubu, highlighting her husband's steadfast support. "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?" she asked, directly addressing the President.

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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.

The former governor's wife also raised concerns about El-Rufai's health, stating he has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar. She alleged that he has been denied adequate medical treatment and access to his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, who she claimed was barred from seeing him due to orders from "above." The family fears for his well-being, living in constant anxiety about potential "bad news."

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Please, 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.

Asia maintained that the family is not seeking special favors or political interference in the legal process. "Please, 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," she stated. She believes the current situation is intended as "psychological warfare" to humiliate and instill fear in her husband and his family.

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We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?