El-Rufai’s Son Thanks Peter Obi for Support During Father’s Detention
Mohammed Bello El-Rufai has thanked Peter Obi for repeatedly checking on his detained father, Nasir El-Rufai, saying the gesture was a personal lesson despite their past political differences.
Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and a member of the House of Representatives, has publicly thanked former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi for repeatedly checking on his father during his detention.
Bello made the disclosure in an interview with Ibrahim Ismaila Ahmed, which was uploaded earlier in the week and subsequently attracted widespread attention. He said Obi had consistently contacted him to ask about the condition of his father, despite Bello's previous criticism of the former Anambra governor.
According to reports by Punch Newspapers and Tribune Online, Bello acknowledged that several prominent Nigerian politicians had reached out to the family during the former Kaduna governor's detention.
Among those he mentioned were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
However, Bello singled out Obi for particular appreciation because of the frequency of his calls.
Bello: Obi’s Concern Was a Lesson
Bello said Obi's intervention was particularly meaningful because he had previously been critical of the former Anambra governor.
“Particularly Governor Peter Obi,” Bello said, explaining that Obi repeatedly called him simply to ask about his father.
For Bello, the experience represented more than political support. He described it as a personal lesson, noting that his previous views about Obi had been different.
The comments highlight how personal relationships can sometimes cut across political disagreements, particularly during periods of family difficulty.
Bello's remarks did not amount to an endorsement of Obi's political platform. Rather, his comments focused on the former governor's personal concern for his family during his father's detention.
Other Politicians Also Reached Out
Bello also acknowledged the support and inquiries from several other prominent political figures.
He named Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso among those who contacted him to ask about Nasir El-Rufai's condition.
The disclosure comes amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, with opposition figures from different political backgrounds increasingly appearing in the same political conversations.
The latest comments, however, centred on the family's experience rather than any formal political arrangement.
Nasir El-Rufai’s Continued Detention
Nasir El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023, has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) amid investigations and related legal proceedings.
The ICPC confirmed his custody in February 2026 in connection with an ongoing investigation. The former governor has faced allegations involving financial and other offences, which remain subject to legal proceedings.
Recent reports indicate that the detention has continued for several months. Channels Television reported on September 29 that the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, described El-Rufai as having spent seven months in detention without conviction and questioned aspects of the process. (Channels Television)
The legal proceedings have included challenges concerning his continued detention and separate criminal allegations. Punch reported on September 26 that a Federal High Court had reserved ruling on a no-case submission in a separate case involving alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications, with the ruling scheduled for October 26.
The ICPC has maintained that El-Rufai's detention was authorised through court processes, while the former governor has challenged aspects of the proceedings.
Obi’s Earlier Position on the Case
Bello's appreciation of Obi comes against the backdrop of the former Anambra governor's earlier public comments about El-Rufai's detention.
Obi has argued that legal allegations should be determined through due process and has criticised what he described as the prolonged detention of the former Kaduna governor.
According to Punch, Obi's media aide, Idris Zekeri, said on September 26 that Obi had consistently called for El-Rufai's case to be dealt with through due process.
Obi has also described the detention as “political persecution,” a characterisation that reflects his own position on the matter rather than a judicial finding. The legal allegations against El-Rufai remain before the relevant institutions and courts.
A Moment of Reflection for El-Rufai
Bello also spoke about how his father has been spending his time while in detention.
He said Nasir El-Rufai had been reading books, studying the Qur'an and reflecting on his experiences in public life.
According to Bello, the period had provided his father with an opportunity to slow down after years of political and administrative activity.
The younger El-Rufai said his father was using the time to reflect, plan and reconsider aspects of his life and work.
Political Differences and Personal Relationships
Bello's comments have attracted attention largely because of his acknowledgement that he had previously criticised Peter Obi.
His decision to publicly thank Obi demonstrates the distinction that can exist between political disagreements and personal relationships. In this case, Bello chose to recognise Obi's repeated concern for his father despite their earlier differences.
The development also comes at a time when Nigeria's political landscape is undergoing significant realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
For now, however, Bello's message remains centred on gratitude. His remarks recognised Obi, as well as other political figures, for maintaining contact with the family during a difficult period.
The comments add a personal dimension to the continuing legal and political discussions surrounding Nasir El-Rufai's detention, while the former governor's cases remain subject to the country's judicial process.