I’ve never spoken ill of El-Rufai — Uba Sani

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has insisted that he has never spoken negatively about his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, dismissing suggestions that their relationship has been strained amid the former governor’s continued detention.

The governor made the remarks during an interview on Trust TV’s Daily Politics on Tuesday, where he was asked about El-Rufai’s political influence ahead of the next election and his detention since February.

Sani said he remained respectful towards El-Rufai and had no intention of speaking against him, adding that he preferred to keep private the steps he had taken to demonstrate his regard for the former governor.

“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.

He also rejected any attempt to associate him with a statement by one of his party’s supporters who reportedly called for El-Rufai to remain 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.

Sani maintained that his public comments about El-Rufai had been consistent since he assumed office, challenging suggestions that he had contradicted his previous statements about his predecessor.

“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.

Explaining why he had not publicly discussed his efforts to demonstrate respect for El-Rufai, the governor said he did not believe such actions needed to be disclosed.

“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.

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

Beyond his relationship with El-Rufai, Sani said he maintained contact with former governors of Kaduna State and sought their advice on matters relating to governance and development.

He cited former governor Ahmed Makarfi as one of the people he consulted on infrastructure projects, including the road linking 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.

According to Sani, consulting former officeholders allows serving governors to benefit from their experience and make more informed decisions.

“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.

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He explained that previous administrations might have developed plans that could not be completed during their time in office, making their experience valuable to those who succeeded them.

The governor also disclosed that he consulted former Vice President Namadi Sambo on a project and obtained the design of the Government House from him.

Sani said he had no personal issues with any of his predecessors, adding that he had made it clear from the beginning of his administration that the office of governor came with significant 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.”