Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has welcomed his long-time political ally, Bashir Saidu, following his release from a Kaduna prison, where he had been held for 50 days.
Saidu, a former chief of staff under El-Rufai’s administration and former Commissioner for Finance and Local Government Affairs, was arrested in January on charges including money laundering.
He was released on Wednesday after meeting his bail conditions.
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El-Rufai expressed his relief and criticized Saidu’s detention, calling it unjust.
He emphasized their 53-year friendship, which began when they were classmates at Barewa College, Zaria.
Describing Saidu as a grassroots politician and skilled technocrat, El-Rufai said that Saidu had a significant influence on the progressive politics of Kaduna North and Central Senatorial Districts, spanning various political parties such as APP, ANPP, CPC, and APC.
El-Rufai suggested that the motive behind Saidu’s persecution was politically driven and warned that those responsible would face consequences, which he promised would be made clear before the 2027 elections, in sha Allah.
He also pointed out the involvement of some police officers in Saidu’s abduction and the obstruction of his bail by certain judges in the Federal High Court and State High Court.
El-Rufai stated that the full details would eventually be shared with the public, promising to expose the truth once all the facts were gathered.
Saidu was arrested in Rigachikun by police operatives from the Operation Fushin Kada unit and charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He was eventually granted bail and was released on Wednesday, with family, friends, and supporters gathering at his home in Kaduna to welcome him back.
