Asiya El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, says the arrest of her husband’s personal physician, Bello Abubakar, raises concerns about the “weaponisation” of healthcare. In interviews cited by Nigerian media, she argues that treating healthcare workers or medical facilities as targets in legal or political disputes can intimidate doctors and damage trust in the system. She also warns that increased pressure on medical professionals could discourage them from working in Nigeria, contributing to “brain drain.”
According to the reports, El-Rufai’s wife made these remarks while discussing the arrest on ARISE NEWS, describing the situation as alarming. The articles present her comments as a critique of how healthcare-related cases are handled, rather than providing additional details on the reasons for the arrest or the status of any legal proceedings. Both outlets focus on her assessment of potential consequences for doctors and the wider healthcare workforce.
