MURIC: El-Rufai handed over Tinubu and he deserves fair treatment

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has said former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai played a vital role in ensuring the rise of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the embattled politician deserves better treatment in detention.

In a statement released on Monday and signed by its executive director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group said El-Rufai was instrumental in mobilizing political support from the North that helped secure Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.

MURIC argued that his support for a Southern presidency, particularly a Yoruba Muslim candidate, informed his engagement with key political actors ahead of the 2023 elections.

According to the group, its campaign began in 2021 and aimed to address what it described as the marginalization of Muslims in parts of the South West.

The organization said it had worked collaboratively with other Islamic scholars to convince Tinubu to contest the presidency, while also reaching out to northern political leaders to consolidate support.

“MURIC created a network with Northern Muslims to connect us with El-Rufai, who we considered politically strategic to unite the North,” the statement read.

He added that El-Rufai’s alignment with Tinubu’s ambition helped foster what he described as a “handshake across Niger”, which ultimately strengthened Tinubu’s chances at the polls.

The group also credited El-Rufai with public support for the principle of rotation of power to the south and the mobilization of political structures in the north in favor of Tinubu.

He also referred to his participation in campaign activities and public endorsement of Tinubu, stressing that such actions helped give momentum to the former Lagos governor’s candidacy.

MURIC said 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 seen in a broader political context.

While recognizing the independence of the judiciary, MURIC urged the authorities to ensure fairness in the handling of his case, warning against what he described as selective justice.

“It will be a huge failure if El-Rufai is treated unfairly while others with similar problems remain free,” the group said.

MURIC added that it takes responsibility for mobilizing the 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 has played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s current political landscape.

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