Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has thanked former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, for repeatedly checking on his father while he remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Bello, a member of the House of Representatives, spoke during an interview with Ibrahim Ismaila Ahmed, which was uploaded on Monday and went viral on Tuesday.
He said Obi’s calls had taught him a personal lesson, noting that he had previously been critical of the former governor.
“Particularly Governor Peter Obi, you know, he kept calling, you know, like he would just call me just to see how… You know, and for me at 38 years old, it’s a lesson in life.
“You know, because in the case of Governor Peter Obi, I used to be critical of him, but, you know… You know, so it’s a lesson,” Bello said.
Bello also thanked several other political figures who had reached out to the family, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, over an ongoing investigation.
Obi had previously criticised the former governor’s prolonged detention, describing it as political persecution.
Speaking about how his father had been coping with the detention, Bello said El-Rufai had used the period to read books, study the Quran and reflect on his life and work.
“And as for Malam, he’s using the time to finish books, catch up, read the Qur’an, which is always, for his, you know, for 10 years he’s been working.
“So it’s also a moment for him to, in isolation, to reflect, to plan better, to tone down, and things like that,” he said.
El-Rufai’s continued detention has attracted public attention, with opposition figures and other political actors calling for his release or questioning the circumstances surrounding his continued detention.
