Reloaded News Desk
Former Southeast spokesman of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Denge Josef Onoh, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the legal challenges involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and consider granting him clemency.
Onoh made the appeal in an open letter dated September 24, 2026, addressed to President Tinubu through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
In the letter titled “An Appeal for Compassion and Royal Intervention in the Plight of Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai,” Onoh urged the President to approach the situation through reconciliation and statesmanship.
El-Rufai is currently facing criminal proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations relating to the unlawful interception of telephone communications.
The former governor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On September 22, the court fixed October 26 to rule on El-Rufai’s no-case submission after hearing arguments from the defence and the Department of State Services.
The defence argued that the prosecution had not established a case requiring El-Rufai to enter a defence, while the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application.
Onoh’s appeal therefore comes while the judicial process remains ongoing.
He asked Tinubu to consider El-Rufai’s previous political contributions, particularly his role in the political activities that preceded the APC’s victory and Tinubu’s election in 2023.
Onoh argued that intervention in the former governor’s situation would not amount to weakness, but could demonstrate what he described as political maturity and statesmanship.
He cited historical examples of political clemency, including Julius Caesar’s approach towards political opponents and former President Shehu Shagari’s 1982 pardon of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Onoh also referred to Sections 174 and 175 of the 1999 Constitution.
Section 174 gives the Attorney-General of the Federation powers relating to the discontinuance of criminal proceedings, while Section 175 provides for the President’s prerogative of mercy in circumstances specified by the Constitution.
Onoh urged Tinubu to use what he described as an opportunity for reconciliation and national healing.
He expressed concern that continued political and legal tensions involving former allies could deepen divisions within the country’s political environment.
The appeal comes a day after El-Rufai himself addressed questions surrounding the silence of some former associates, friends and people he had previously supported.
In a statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath,” El-Rufai said he bore no resentment towards people who had chosen not to stand by him during his current difficulties.
He said his past support for people and causes had been based on his faith, upbringing, personal values and conscience rather than an expectation of reciprocity.
El-Rufai also said he would not seek revenge or retribution over any perceived injustice or ingratitude.
The former governor’s statement and Onoh’s appeal have emerged within 24 hours of each other, placing fresh attention on the political relationships surrounding El-Rufai while his court case remains pending.
There has been no indication in the reports reviewed that President Tinubu has accepted Onoh’s request or taken any decision to discontinue the proceedings or grant clemency.
For now, the matter remains before the court, while Onoh’s intervention represents an appeal for presidential action on compassionate and reconciliation grounds.
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