Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, have renewed calls for due process in the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former Anambra State governor had consistently called for El-Rufai’s case to be addressed through the courts rather than allowing him to remain in detention for an extended period.

Zekeri said Obi believed that if there were allegations against El-Rufai, they should be established through due process, adding that no Nigerian should be subjected to prolonged detention without having the matter properly addressed.

El-Rufai has remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February amid investigations and separate court proceedings.

The ICPC has maintained that his detention was authorised by court orders, while El-Rufai has challenged aspects of his continued detention and the proceedings against him.

The Federal High Court in Abuja recently reserved ruling on El-Rufai’s no-case submission in a case concerning the alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The court fixed October 26 for the ruling.

Separately, his N1 billion fundamental rights suit against the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation was adjourned to October 27.

Momodu, who is a chieftain of the ADC, also criticised El-Rufai’s continued detention during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.

He said El-Rufai’s contribution to the political process that brought the present administration to power should not be overlooked and welcomed the ADC’s decision to appoint the former governor to its presidential campaign council despite his detention.

Momodu also described El-Rufai as a significant political figure in northern Nigeria and said the former governor’s previous support for President Bola Tinubu should be considered in assessing his current political position.

El-Rufai, in a recent statement, said his continued detention had prompted him to reflect on some of his relationships but maintained that he bore no hatred or resentment towards those who had chosen not to stand by him.

He said his support for people and causes had been guided by his values and conscience rather than expectations of reciprocity, adding that he would not seek revenge over perceived injustice or injury.