Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, a federal lawmaker representing Kaduna North in the House of Representatives, has revealed that several prominent opposition politicians reached out to him over the detention of his father, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Bello, who chairs the House Committee on Banking Regulations, said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi contacted him to seek information about the former Kaduna governor’s situation.
He further disclosed that former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso also called him concerning his father.
According to the lawmaker, the calls came from politicians who are currently involved in opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nasir El-Rufai has remained in detention following investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission into allegations linked to his administration as Kaduna governor.
The former governor was arrested by the ICPC on February 18, 2026, as investigations into alleged financial offences during his tenure continued.
Between March and April, he appeared before different courts in connection with several allegations.
On March 24, the ICPC brought a 10-count money laundering case against him. He was subsequently intercepted by operatives of the Department of State Services on April 1.
Additional allegations relating to railway and closed-circuit television contracts were later brought against him by the ICPC in April.
On April 23, the DSS also formally arraigned the former governor in Abuja over allegations involving the interception of communications.
The legal proceedings continued into May, when Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted El-Rufai bail of N100 million, alongside one surety.
The ruling followed proceedings in a case instituted by the DSS over an alleged national security violation and claims involving unauthorised access to a telephone conversation concerning the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In June, the court declined an application seeking changes to the conditions attached to El-Rufai’s bail in the wiretapping-related case.
Speaking in a video, Bello said the messages and calls from the politicians had made him reflect on political relationships and personal conduct.
He specifically mentioned Peter Obi, whom he said had repeatedly contacted him to enquire about his father.
Bello acknowledged that he had previously been critical of Obi, making the former governor’s gesture particularly significant to him.
He said the experience had taught him a valuable lesson about life, especially at his current age.
“Politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others called me to ask about my dad,” Bello said.
Expressing appreciation to those who reached out, he singled out Obi for particular mention because of his repeated calls.
“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,” he stated.
Bello also provided an update on how his father has been spending his time while in detention.
According to him, the former governor has used the period to read extensively, complete books and engage in religious activities, including reading the Quran.
He described the period as an opportunity for his father to withdraw from political activities and reflect on previous experiences.
“And for Malam, he is using the time to finish books, catch up, read the Quran, so it’s also a moment for him in isolation to reflect, plan better, and tone down on things like that,” Bello added.
