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| Photo credit — Peter Obi & El Rufai |
Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North and Chairman of the Committee on Banking Regulations, has described regular phone calls from Peter Obi as a personal life lesson.
In a video circulating online, Bello said several prominent politicians contacted him to enquire about his father, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who has been in detention. Those who called included African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Rotimi Amaechi, as well as Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“Politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso and others called me to ask about my dad,” Bello stated. “I would like to thank them, particularly Mr Peter Obi. He always called me to ask about my dad. And for me, at 38, it’s a lesson in life because, in the case of Obi, I used to be critical of him.”
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Bello added that his father is using the period of isolation productively: finishing books, reading the Quran, reflecting, and planning. “It’s also a moment for him in isolation to reflect, plan better, and tone down on things like that,” he said.
Background on the detention
Nasir El-Rufai was arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on or around 18–19 February 2026 in connection with investigations into alleged financial misconduct during his time as governor. He has faced multiple arraignments on charges that include money laundering and related offences, as well as separate matters involving the Department of State Services (DSS).
In May 2026, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail of ₦100 million with one surety in a DSS-related case. Subsequent applications to vary bail conditions were refused. El-Rufai has denied the allegations against him. Court proceedings and bail applications have continued in the months since.
This account is based on Bello El-Rufai’s public remarks in the video and contemporaneous reporting on the legal matters. Readers are encouraged to consult official court records and statements from the ICPC and DSS for the latest developments.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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