Uba Sani: I Respect El-Rufai, Never Spoke Badly of Him

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, said he has never spoken badly about his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai. This comes amid questions about their relationship and El-Rufai's ongoing detention.

Sani expressed his respect for the former governor. He said he would not share all the ways he has shown this respect publicly.

The governor spoke during an interview on Trust TV's Daily Politics on Tuesday. He was asked if he feared El-Rufai's influence as the next election approaches and if he was worried about El-Rufai’s detention since February.

“Honestly speaking, I have no problem with him (El-Rufai). If you listen to me carefully, I have never spoken anything bad about him, and I will never speak anything bad about him,” Sani said.

Sani also distanced himself from a supporter’s comment that El-Rufai should stay in detention until after the election. “The person that made that statement was speaking for himself. He was not speaking for me,” the governor said.

He did not share details of any private efforts he may have made regarding El-Rufai’s situation. He said he prefers to keep such matters to himself.

“As a matter of respect, many things I’ve done to show my respect for him, my regard for him, I don’t think I should come out and say it. Because when you respect someone, you don’t come out to say certain things,” he said.

Sani added, “That’s the reason why I have never said anything against him. And I will never.”

The governor dismissed the idea that his relationship with El-Rufai has been marked by public fights. He insisted that his views have not changed since he became governor.

“Everything I’ve said about him, honestly speaking, I’ve not gone back to repudiate it. Have you ever seen me repudiating anything? This is who I am,” he said.

Sani explained that he keeps in touch with former governors of Kaduna State. He regularly talks to them about governance and projects.

He mentioned his talks with former governor Ahmed Makarfi about road construction. He said this includes the road connecting Soba and Zaria.

“Even last week, I consulted Makarfi on some particular roads I want to construct. The road I constructed from Soba to Zaria is part of my consultation, and Makarfi advised me and said that road is well-routed,” he said.

Sani believes former governors have valuable experience that can help current leaders make better choices.

“When you are sitting as a governor, you don’t have a monopoly of wisdom. The way to succeed is to be humble and listen to people who advise you,” he said.

He added that his administration wants to learn from the experiences of past governors. He noted that they might have plans that did not happen while they were in office.

Sani also consulted former Vice President Namadi Sambo about a project design. He said he got the design of the Government House from him.

The governor said he has no grudges against any of his predecessors. He reminded everyone at the start of his term that governance comes with challenges.

“When I became the governor, I made it clear to everyone. I said, ‘Governor, you will have challenges.’ So, if everyone turns back to say you will be governor without challenges, that means they’re not ready to work,” he said.