Human Rights activist Aisha Yesufu, has dismissed claims that Peter Obi, ordered the arrest of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, during Obi’s tenure.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Yesufu clarified that El-Rufai was detained in Anambra by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), not on Obi’s directive.
Her clarification was in response to a statement made by Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, who cited the 2013 incident while reacting to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s recent warning barring Obi from entering Edo State.
“The governor said what he said very clearly, and that is a threat to life,” Yesufu said. “Beyond that is the fact that the Edo State Government came out with a statement where they said he wasn’t threatening him but that Obi needs to tell them when he is coming and also get security clearance.
“I don’t know what gives Governor Okpebholo the audacity that he can give security clearances for any Nigerian to be able to come to Edo State. Edo State is not his family estate. Yes, he currently might be the one governing the state, but he doesn’t have the right to give anybody clearance to be anywhere,” she added.
Yesufu further countered the claim linking Obi to El-Rufai’s arrest, saying “There was also something in the statement released by the Edo State Government based on the threat the governor had made to Mr Peter Obi, where he was saying he is not like Mr Peter Obi who got El-Rufai arrested in Anambra State.
“That statement is not factual. Mr Peter Obi never arrested the former Governor of Kaduna State. He was arrested in Anambra State, but he was arrested by the DSS, and the order from above from the set-right never had anything to do with Mr Peter Obi.”
In November 2013, Nasir El-Rufai, a leading figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the time, was detained by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives in Anambra State during the governorship election. El-Rufai claimed he was in the state to observe the polls but was restricted to his hotel room in Awka by security officials.
The DSS later stated that his detention was based on “security concerns” prevailing in the area at the time.
Aisha Yesufu’s clarification comes amid growing political tensions sparked by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s warning to Peter Obi following his recent visit to Benin City.
