Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the attempted arrest of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing the incident as a national embarrassment.
Atiku made the remark on Thursday during a solidarity visit to El-Rufai at his residence in Abuja.
Politics Nigeria earlier reported that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly attempted to arrest El-Rufai, a development that has triggered reactions from various quarters.
The visit followed an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where operatives reportedly tried to detain El-Rufai shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt, aboard an EgyptAir flight.
Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, had earlier paid a similar solidarity visit to the former governor.
Speaking during the visit, Atiku said Nigeria is governed by the rule of law and that there was no justification for the manner in which El-Rufai was treated.
“They could have allowed you to return home and then invited you if necessary. You have held high public offices, as a minister and as a governor and discharged your duties successfully.
“There was no need to embarrass you, because by doing so, they embarrass the entire society. We will stand by you and every law-abiding citizen of Nigeria,” he said.