El-Rufai Paying For His Misgovernance, Irresponsibility — Senator Shehu Sani Cites Southern Kaduna Violence, Others | Sahara Reporters

The former lawmaker said the experience should serve as a reminder to public officials that political power is temporary and that actions taken while in office could later attract scrutiny.

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 irresponsibility during his time in public office.

Sani made the remarks while speaking during an interview on Channels TV on Friday, amid discussions over El-Rufai’s continued detention.

The former lawmaker said the experience should serve as a reminder to public officials that political power is temporary and that actions taken while in office could later attract scrutiny.

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

He specifically linked El-Rufai’s current situation to his record while serving as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

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

Sani said he understood the difficulties associated with prolonged detention, noting that he had himself spent years in prison.

“I think he is in detention for, like they say, 200 days or something like that. For someone like me, who has been in prison for four years, I don’t think anyone can lecture me on detention, on the pains of imprisonment,” he said.

The former senator also said people who leave positions of influence could lose relationships and support they enjoyed while in office.

“But it is natural, when you are out of circulation, you are bound to lose friends. You are bound to see things differently from the way you are,” Sani said.

He alleged that El-Rufai’s administration was characterised by “misgovernance, irresponsible leadership, and the use of statecraft to attack and jail opponents.”

Sani also spoke about insecurity in Southern Kaduna, saying several communities in the area had experienced violence over the years.

“If you look at it, 80 per cent of those who are commenting have never been to Southern Kaduna. They don’t know where Sanga is. They don’t know where Kauru is. They don’t know where Kachia is,” he said.
He questioned the effectiveness of the security measures adopted by the former administration, saying, “If he has done anything, the bloodshed would not have been worse as they were.”

Sani also referred to reports concerning negotiations with bandits during El-Rufai’s tenure, including the case of journalist Luka Binyat.

“It came from the lips of the former governor that they pay bandits not to kill,” he said.

The former senator said the controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s detention should also be viewed within the broader context of the former governor’s time in office and the treatment of people during his administration.

El-Rufai has remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission since February amid investigations and separate criminal proceedings.

The former governor has challenged aspects of his continued detention and the proceedings against him.

The Federal High Court in Abuja recently reserved ruling on El-Rufai’s no-case submission in the alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Sani’s comments come amid renewed public debate over El-Rufai’s continued detention, with other political figures also commenting on the former governor’s situation.