Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has thanked NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi for regularly checking on his father during his detention.
Bello said several politicians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, had contacted him over his father’s situation.
However, he singled out Obi for special appreciation, saying the former Anambra governor’s concern taught him a lesson.
He said he had previously criticised Obi but was touched by the presidential candidate’s repeated calls to ask about El-Rufai.
“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,” Bello said.
Bello added that his father had been using his time in detention to read, study the Quran and reflect on his experiences.
Obi had earlier criticised El-Rufai’s detention, 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 since February 18 as part of an ongoing investigation.
The former governor has also faced legal proceedings over allegations brought against him by the ICPC and the Department of State Services.
