Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the chairman of the Committee on Banking Regulations and a member of the House of Representatives from Kaduna North, revealed that Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), called him to enquire about his father, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who is presently in custody.
Bello further revealed that Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, two of their running partners, had also contacted to enquire about El-Rufai.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, or ICPC, detained El-Rufai on February 18, 2026, after looking into allegations of fraud during his time as governor.
The former governor was arraigned in many courts between March and April of 2026.
El-Rufai was given N100 million in bail and one surety in May by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a case brought by the DSS concerning an alleged national security breach and unlawful access to a phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the judge rendered the decision.
In the DSS wiretapping case, Justice Abdulmalik declined to loosen the strict bail requirements in June.
Bello, who had been a harsh critic of the former governor of Anambra State, claimed that Obi’s calls were a lesson to him.
“Politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others called me to ask about my dad,” Bello stated in a video.
“I want to thank them, especially Mr. Peter Obi. He contacted me every time to enquire about my dad. And at 38, it serves as a life lesson for me because I used to be critical of Obi.
“And Malam is using the time to read the Quran, finish books, and catch up, so it’s also a moment for him to reflect, plan better, and tone down things like that.”