Uba Sani: I’ve Never Spoken Ill of El-Rufai
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has insisted that he has never spoken negatively about his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, despite questions surrounding their relationship and the former governor’s continued detention. Speaking during an interview on Trust TV’s Daily Politics on Tuesday, Sani said he still had tremendous respect for El-Rufai and would not publicly disclose all the steps he had taken to demonstrate his regard for him. “If you listen to me carefully, I have never spoken anything bad about him, and I will never speak anything bad about him,” the governor said. He also distanced himself from a comment reportedly made by a supporter suggesting that El-Rufai should remain in detention until after the next election, stressing that the individual was speaking for himself and not on his behalf. Sani declined to discuss any private efforts he might have made concerning the former governor’s situation, saying respect should not be measured by what a person chooses to disclose publicly.
The governor also rejected suggestions that his relationship with El-Rufai had been defined by public disagreements, maintaining that he had not withdrawn or contradicted his previous statements about his predecessor. Sani further explained that he regularly consulted former governors and other experienced leaders on governance and development projects, citing discussions with former Kaduna governor Ahmed Makarfi on road construction, including the Soba-to-Zaria road. He also disclosed that he had consulted former Vice President Namadi Sambo on a project design, including the design of the Government House. According to Sani, former leaders possess valuable experience that can help their successors make informed decisions, adding that no governor has a monopoly on wisdom. He maintained that he had nothing against his predecessors and acknowledged that challenges were an inevitable part of governance, emphasising the importance of humility, consultation and learning from those who previously held public office.
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