Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Healthcare intimidation in Nigeria could deepen the country’s medical workforce crisis if doctors are targeted for treating politically exposed persons, Asiya El-Rufai has warned.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview on ARISE NEWS, Mrs. El-Rufai criticised the arrest of her husband’s personal physician, Bello Abubakar, arguing that the development sends a troubling signal to healthcare professionals across Nigeria.
She said doctors should be able to provide medical care without fear of harassment or intimidation, warning that such actions could accelerate the migration of Nigerian health workers abroad.
Mrs. El-Rufai said her husband, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been treated for glaucoma at several medical facilities but was allegedly prevented from consulting Dr Abubakar, who has managed his healthcare for decades.
She also dismissed claims that her husband’s recent hospital visit was intended for political meetings, insisting it complied with a court order granting him unrestricted access to healthcare.
“The court directive was very clear: he should have unfettered access to healthcare. The ICPC is interpreting the order too narrowly,” she said.
According to Mrs. El-Rufai, the appointment was deliberately scheduled for the evening to minimise interaction with other patients.
Mr. El-Rufai is facing multiple criminal charges brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), including allegations of abuse of office, fraud, money laundering and procurement-related offences linked to an ₦8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract awarded during his tenure as Kaduna governor.
Mrs. El-Rufai said the broader concern extends beyond her husband’s legal case, warning that intimidation of healthcare professionals could worsen Nigeria’s longstanding brain drain, as doctors and nurses continue to leave for better opportunities in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and Australia.
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