The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has declared that the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, played a pivotal role in ensuring the emergence of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the embattled politician deserves better treatment while in detention.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group said El-Rufai was instrumental in mobilising northern political support that helped secure Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
MURIC maintained that its advocacy for a southern presidency, particularly a Yoruba Muslim candidate, informed its engagement with key political actors ahead of the 2023 polls.
According to the group, its campaign began in 2021 and was aimed at addressing what it described as the marginalisation of Muslims in parts of the South-West.
The organisation said it worked in collaboration with other Islamic scholars to convince Tinubu to contest the presidency, while also reaching out to northern political leaders to consolidate support.
“MURIC networked with northern Muslims to link us with El-Rufai, whom we considered politically strategic in uniting the North,” the statement read.
It added that El-Rufai’s alignment with Tinubu’s ambition helped foster what it described as a “handshake across the Niger,” which ultimately strengthened Tinubu’s chances at the polls.
The group further credited El-Rufai with publicly supporting the principle of power rotation to the South and mobilising northern political structures in favour of Tinubu.
It also referenced his participation in campaign activities and public endorsement of Tinubu, noting that such actions contributed to building momentum for the former Lagos governor’s candidacy.
MURIC stated that its position could be independently verified through widely available information, including public statements and online tools.
The group said it would not abandon El-Rufai, despite his current legal challenges, stressing that his court cases were “politically motivated” and should be viewed within a broader political context.
While acknowledging the independence of the judiciary, MURIC urged authorities to ensure fairness in the handling of his case, warning against what it described as selective justice.
“It will be a monumental failure if El-Rufai is treated unjustly while others with similar issues remain free,” the group said.
MURIC added that it takes responsibility for mobilising support that contributed to Tinubu’s emergence, insisting that El-Rufai acted in line with their political alignment.
The group called for his release and urged the government to reconsider his continued detention, describing him as a “national asset” who had played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s current political landscape.
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