The vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and ensure that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai receives fair treatment under the law.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Kwankwaso expressed concern over Obi’s recent public comments and the public appeal by members of El-Rufai’s family, saying both developments raised serious questions about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the protection of citizens’ rights.

Reacting to Obi’s interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Kwankwaso said he was disturbed by the former Anambra State governor’s concerns about his personal safety and the alleged impact of his role in the opposition on his business interests.

He also faulted the Federal Government’s response to Obi’s comments, describing it as inappropriate and lacking the restraint expected of a democratic administration.

“Like every Nigerian, our presidential candidate and all of us deserve the full protection of the state, not ridicule for raising legitimate concerns,” Kwankwaso said.

He argued that democratic leadership demands fairness, justice and restraint, stressing that a government entrusted with the responsibility of protecting its citizens should not dismiss or mock what he described as credible calls for help.

Kwankwaso also expressed sympathy for the family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai after watching what he described as their emotional public appeal over his continued detention.

According to him, irrespective of political affiliation, El-Rufai remains entitled to due process and the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

He expressed concern over what he described as delays in granting the former governor bail, alleging that the conditions imposed were widely perceived as stringent and unreasonable.

“As an unconvicted citizen, he deserves a fair and expeditious trial, while his health and that of his family are adequately safeguarded,” he stated.

The former Kano State governor urged the Federal Government to handle both matters with transparency, accountability and justice, warning against using state institutions to settle political scores.

He maintained that equal treatment before the law is essential to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

“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,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune, excluding headline)