KADUNA, Nigeria – In a move that has stunned the Nigerian political landscape, Peter Obi has reportedly reached out to the family of his former rival, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over ten times to check on the former governor’s welfare in detention.
The revelation was made by Hon. Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives and son of the detained former Kaduna State Governor. According to Bello, Obi’s persistent calls and concern for his father’s health and legal status mark a significant departure from their historically frosty relationship.
The “Real Politics” Shift
Analysts are describing Obi’s actions as a masterclass in “real politics”—the art of building strategic alliances across traditional divides. This reconciliation is particularly striking given that in 2022, Nasir El-Rufai publicly accused Peter Obi of having him detained in an Anambra hotel for 48 hours during a 2013 gubernatorial election.
By coming to the defense of his former detractor, Obi is being credited with prioritising the rule of law over personal grievances. Speaking in Kaduna on March 22, Obi described El-Rufai’s ongoing detention as “political persecution,” arguing that the state’s treatment of a citizen who returned to Nigeria voluntarily is an affront to justice.
Building a 2027 Front
The outreach coincides with a broader political realignment. Both Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai have recently moved toward the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling the birth of a formidable opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The El-Rufai family’s perception of Obi has undergone a radical shift as a result. Bashir El-Rufai, another son of the former governor, recently admitted on social media that his previous stance against Obi was “poisoned” by old party loyalties, expressing newfound respect for the former Anambra governor.
Status of Nasir El-Rufai
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since mid-February 2026. He faces allegations of money laundering and abuse of office—charges his legal team and family dismiss as a “circus of chicanery” designed to silence his political influence.
While the ICPC continues its investigation, a Federal High Court has adjourned El-Rufai’s bail hearing until March 31, 2026. Until then, the alliance between the “Obidients” and the El-Rufai camp continues to strengthen, fundamentally altering the country’s political dynamics.
