Ex-senator Sani criticizes former governor El-Rufai — Premium Times Nigeria

Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani said in Nigeria that former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is allegedly paying for his actions and irresponsibility while in power. He was responding to El-Rufai’s complaints about the silence of close associates, colleagues and family members amid his current troubles.

As Premium Times Nigeria reports, Sani made the statements on September 26 during Channels Television’s Politics Today programme. The publication notes that El-Rufai is being held by Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over corruption allegations.

Accusations against the former authorities

Sani claims that while serving as governor, El-Rufai did not respect the rule of law, failed to comply with court rulings and used state mechanisms against political opponents. According to him, Kaduna State saw cases of poor governance and the imprisonment of government critics between 2015 and 2023.

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The former senator cited as examples the detention of Vanguard journalist Luka Binniyat after the publication of an article, as well as the holding of 89 community leaders from the Kachia Local Government Area. He also mentioned Islamic clerics from Zaria, Kaduna State University lecturer John Danfulani and Leadership newspaper journalist Maidu Joseph. Sani cited these cases as examples of what he considers the persecution of critics of El-Rufai’s administration.

Security and political confrontation

Sani also accused the former Kaduna administration of inaction in response to attacks by militants and bandits in the southern and central parts of the state. He said that El-Rufai’s government did not provide adequate support to the police, army and civil defence. El-Rufai has not yet responded to these allegations.

The political conflict between Sani and El-Rufai has been ongoing for several years. Both politicians represented the All Progressives Congress party, but their relationship deteriorated due to disputes over political control and governing style. Ahead of the 2019 elections, Sani helped block a $350 million World Bank loan requested by El-Rufai’s administration.