A northern Christian youth group has commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for granting former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, time to mourn and bury his late mother, describing the decision as a demonstration of compassion and humane leadership.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals said the move reflects the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu, which it noted prioritises empathy and respect for human dignity in governance.
The group stated that allowing El-Rufai to attend to family obligations despite political differences underscores what it described as “politics without bitterness,” where humanity takes precedence over partisan considerations.
According to the statement signed by its chairman, Isaac Abrak, the decision sends a strong message that leadership should be guided not only by authority but also by understanding and compassion.
“The humane decision by the ICPC reflects a leadership disposition that prioritises compassion and respect for human dignity,” Abrak said, adding that governance can be conducted with empathy even amid political disagreements.
The group noted that the development is particularly significant given the widely reported political differences between Tinubu and El-Rufai, arguing that it reinforces the principle that political competition should not override shared human values.
It contrasted the gesture with earlier periods in Nigeria’s history, recalling that former President Muhammadu Buhari was reportedly unable to attend his mother’s burial while in detention following the 1985 change of government led by Ibrahim Babangida.
According to the group, that episode attracted criticism and was widely viewed as reflective of a rigid leadership approach with limited emphasis on compassion.
The statement further stressed that granting El-Rufai time to mourn does not undermine ongoing legal or investigative processes, noting that due process should continue in accordance with the law after the burial.
“The pursuit of justice must remain firm, but it should not come at the expense of compassion when a citizen faces personal loss,” Abrak added.
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals urged leaders and public institutions across the country to adopt what it described as a balanced approach that upholds both accountability and humanity in governance.
