El-Rufai Paying Price of Irresponsible Leadership as Kaduna Gov — Shehu Sani

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has said former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is paying the price for what he described as misgovernance and irresponsible leadership during his time in office.

Sani made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, while discussing El-Rufai’s current detention and the reactions surrounding his legal troubles.

The former senator said public officials should remember that political power is temporary and that decisions made while in office could later come under scrutiny.

“El-Rufai is paying the price of his misgovernance and his irresponsibility when he was in public office,” Sani said.

Sani acknowledged the difficulties associated with detention, noting that he had personally spent more than four years in prison during his time as a pro-democracy activist.

He, however, argued that El-Rufai’s present circumstances should also be viewed against the background of his administration between 2015 and 2023.

Sani alleged that the former governor’s administration used state institutions against critics and political opponents and accused it of failing to respect court orders.

He cited several cases involving individuals who, according to him, were arrested or detained during El-Rufai’s tenure.

The former lawmaker also criticised the former administration’s handling of insecurity in Kaduna, particularly violence in Southern and Central Kaduna.

Sani alleged that the state government failed to provide adequate support to security agencies or take sufficient measures to address the violence.

He also referred to previous reports concerning negotiations with bandits during El-Rufai’s administration, arguing that the former governor’s position on the issue had been inconsistent.

Sani said the experience should serve as a reminder to public officials that power does not last forever.

“When you are in office, always remind yourself that it is an opportunity, and it is a very temporary opportunity for you,” he said.

The former senator also contrasted El-Rufai’s administration with that of incumbent Governor Uba Sani, whom he credited with improving relations between communities in Northern and Southern Kaduna.

Sani said the current administration had promoted what he described as greater inclusion across religious and ethnic groups.

El-Rufai served as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023 before leaving office after completing two terms.

His current legal situation has generated political reactions, with supporters and critics offering different interpretations of the cases against him.

Sani maintained that his comments were informed by his experience in Kaduna politics and his assessment of events during El-Rufai’s tenure.