Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared support for ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, following a failed attempt by the operatives of the State Security Service to arrest the ex-governor at the Abuja airport on Thursday.

“Last night, I paid a solidarity visit to the former governor of Kaduna state and stalwart of the African Democratic Congress, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, following the failed attempt to arrest him at the airport upon his arrival in the country,” Mr Abubakar stated in a Facebook post on Friday.

The former vice-president, who posted the video of his visit to Mr El-Rufai, said the ex-Kaduna governor remained unruffled by the development, insisting he was committed to a better Nigeria.

“He was unfazed by the incident and remains committed to the battle to enthrone a better Nigeria,” Mr Abubakar added.

The SSS operatives attempted to arrest Mr El-Rufai, who resisted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred minutes after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.

Meanwhile, Mr El-Rufai’s legal counsel, Ubong Akpan, confirmed that his client was earlier invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for questioning while he was abroad and would honour the agency’s invitation on Monday.

“The invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad. Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity,” Mr Akpan said in a statement on Thursday.