Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has thanked Peter Obi for repeatedly checking on his father while the former governor remains in detention.
Bello, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, said several prominent political figures had contacted him to ask about his father’s condition. He specifically mentioned 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, saying the former Anambra State governor had consistently contacted him over Nasir El-Rufai’s situation.
The remarks were made in a video referenced in reports published on September 29, 2026, amid continued political and legal attention surrounding the former Kaduna governor’s detention.
Bello says Obi’s actions changed his perspective
Bello said Obi’s repeated concern was significant to him because he had previously been critical of the former Anambra governor.
According to reports quoting Bello, he said he wanted to thank Obi particularly because Obi had repeatedly called to ask about his father.
Bello described the experience as a personal lesson, noting that political disagreements had not prevented Obi from showing concern for his family during a difficult period.
The comments are notable because Obi and the El-Rufai family have previously been involved in political disagreements.
Nasir El-Rufai had, in 2022, alleged that security officials detained him during the 2013 Anambra governorship election while Obi was governor of the state. The Cable reported at the time that El-Rufai alleged Obi ordered the detention, a claim concerning a historical political dispute rather than an established finding against Obi.
Bello’s latest comments therefore provide a different dimension to the relationship, focusing on personal support during his father’s current legal troubles.
Other politicians also contacted the family
Bello said Obi was not the only politician who reached out.
He named Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso among those who had contacted him to inquire about Nasir El-Rufai.
The outreach comes against the backdrop of significant political realignments ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The politicians named by Bello are prominent figures within opposition politics, although their contact with the El-Rufai family, as described by Bello, was specifically about his father’s situation.
Politics Nigeria also reported that Bello identified the contacts as particularly meaningful because some of the politicians concerned had previously been on different sides of political disagreements involving Nasir El-Rufai.
The development illustrates how personal relationships and political disagreements can sometimes coexist, particularly when political figures face legal or personal difficulties.
Why Peter Obi has spoken about El-Rufai’s detention
Obi has previously made public statements concerning Nasir El-Rufai’s detention.
In March 2026, Obi criticised the former Kaduna governor’s continued detention and described it as “political persecution”. He argued that the rule of law should prevail and that people should be treated with dignity until they are found guilty.
The statement was Obi’s political position on the handling of the case and should be distinguished from the official position of the authorities investigating El-Rufai.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which has been involved in the investigation, has maintained that El-Rufai’s detention was authorised by a court.
In a March 2026 statement, the ICPC said a court had granted an initial remand order and subsequently approved a further 14-day extension on March 5. The commission said El-Rufai remained in its custody under the court-authorised remand and that investigations concerned allegations including money laundering and abuse of office.
The ICPC also rejected reports suggesting that it was seeking an additional extension at a particular March 17 court proceeding, explaining that the hearing concerned El-Rufai’s application challenging the remand order.
El-Rufai’s family has challenged his detention
The former governor’s family has previously disputed the legality of his continued detention.
In March, the family called for his release and argued that the ICPC had no legal basis to continue holding him. A statement signed by Bello said the family believed the initial legal authority for the detention had expired.
The ICPC has presented a different account, maintaining that the detention was backed by a court order and that the commission was following the legal process.
The competing positions highlight an important distinction in the case: statements by El-Rufai’s family and political supporters represent their interpretation of the detention, while the ICPC has relied on court orders and the ongoing investigative process to justify its actions.
Bello says his father is using detention period to read and reflect
Bello also provided an account of how his father has been spending his time in detention.
He said Nasir El-Rufai had been using the period to read books, study the Quran and reflect on his experiences.
Bello described the period of isolation as an opportunity for his father to reflect and plan, according to reports of his remarks.
The comments provide a personal perspective from the family but do not alter the legal status of the investigations or determine the outcome of the allegations against the former governor.
The broader political context
The development comes as Nigeria’s opposition landscape continues to evolve ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi is now associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Atiku Abubakar, Amaechi and other opposition figures have been involved in efforts to build political alliances ahead of the next general elections.
However, Bello’s comments were centred primarily on the personal concern shown by politicians toward his father rather than on a formal political alliance.
For Weng Global readers, the significance of the episode lies partly in the distinction between political competition and personal relationships. Bello’s account suggests that political differences did not prevent several politicians from contacting his family during his father’s detention.
His particular appreciation for Obi also highlights how personal interactions can influence perceptions across political divides.
What happens next?
The legal proceedings surrounding Nasir El-Rufai remain separate from the political reactions to his detention.
The ICPC has said that its investigation is subject to the court process and that legal disputes concerning the detention should be determined through the courts.
Obi and other political figures have continued to express concern about the length and circumstances of the detention, while the authorities maintain that the investigation is being conducted within the legal framework.
The outcome of the proceedings, rather than political statements from either side, will ultimately determine the legal consequences of the allegations against the former Kaduna governor.
For now, Bello El-Rufai’s comments have brought attention to the personal dimension of the case, particularly his acknowledgement of political figures who have contacted his family and his appreciation for Peter Obi despite their previous political differences.
Weng Global Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Tribune Online — reporting on Bello El-Rufai’s appreciation of Peter Obi and other politicians.
- Leadership — report on Bello El-Rufai’s comments and the politicians who contacted him.
- Politics Nigeria — report identifying the politicians who contacted Bello over his father’s situation.
- Channels Television — Peter Obi’s March 2026 comments on El-Rufai’s detention.
- ICPC — official statement on the court-authorised remand and legal status of El-Rufai’s detention.
