‘You Can’t Ridicule Him’ – Kwankwaso Fires Presidency Over Peter Obi, El-Rufai Matters

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has berated the presidency over its recent statement on Peter Obi, in which the former Governor was described as a serial liar.

Kwankwaso, in a statement on Thursday, said the presidency’s response to the NDC presidential candidate’s outcry is undemocratic and a cause for deep concern.

Naija News recalls that the presidency had dismissed Peter Obi’s claims that he is being targeted by the federal government.

In a statement on Wednesday night, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Obi’s allegations as false, misleading and designed to attract public sympathy.

He said Obi’s recent claim that he was targeted after an incident involving his vehicle at the airport was unfounded, adding that the matter appeared to stem from a breach of parking regulations.

In the statement, Onanuga accused Obi of dragging the government into personal inconveniences and making baseless allegations.

He also dismissed Peter Obi’s claim that he might not be alive before the January 2027 election and that people were being pressured not to invite him to social events.

However, Kwankwaso, in his reaction, said worries about Obi’s personal safety or that of any Nigerian should not result in insults and derogatory language from the presidency.

The former Governor of Kano State said restraint and maturity were expected from the presidency.

He wrote, “This week, I have observed with deep concern two notable media appearances: one by my brother, Mr. Peter Obi, and the other by the family of Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

“In his interview with Mr. Chude Jideonwo, Mr. Obi voiced serious worries about his personal safety and the adverse impact his role as an opposition leader has had on his businesses. Even more troubling was the Federal Government’s response, which resorted to personal insults and derogatory language instead of the restraint and maturity expected of a democratic administration.

“Let me state clearly: like every Nigerian, our presidential candidate and all of us deserve the full protection of the state, not ridicule for raising legitimate concerns.

“Democratic leadership requires fairness, justice, and restraint.

“A government entrusted with protecting citizens should not dismiss or mock credible calls for help from any individual, including Mr. Peter Obi.”

The El-Rufai Saga

Touching on the emotional appeal from the El-Rufai family to President Bola Tinubu about the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Kwankwaso called on the government to ensure the matter is handled with transparency, accountability, and justice, adding that every citizen deserves a fair and quick trial.

He also called on the government to address concerns raised by the El-Rufai family on the health of the former Governor.

“On the other hand, it was distressing to watch the wives of Malam Nasir El-Rufai publicly express the family’s anguish over his prolonged detention.

“Regardless of political affiliation, Malam El-Rufai, like every Nigerian, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court. The continued delay in granting him bail through what many perceive as stringent and unreasonable conditions is deeply concerning. As an unconvicted citizen, he deserves a fair and expeditious trial, while his health and that of his family are adequately safeguarded.

“I therefore join well-meaning Nigerians in urging the Federal Government to handle these matters with transparency, accountability, and justice. These issues must not be weaponised to settle political scores.

“For our democracy to truly thrive, every citizen; young or old, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political persuasion must receive equal and equitable treatment under the law from the government that exists to protect us all,” Kwankwaso said in a personally signed statement.