Kaduna Assembly Report Escalates El-Rufai, Uba Sani’s Bitter Feud

The political tension between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his successor, Uba Sani, has intensified following a bombshell report by a state assembly committee. The ad-hoc committee, tasked with investigating finances under El-Rufai’s administration, submitted its findings on June 5th, accusing the ex-governor and his appointees of misappropriating a staggering N423 billion in state funds.

The report alleges that El-Rufai’s administration engaged in reckless financial practices, including awarding contracts without due process, approving large withdrawals in both naira and dollars, and diverting and laundering state funds. The committee has recommended that the state government invite relevant law enforcement agencies to probe El-Rufai, his commissioners, and heads of certain state agencies implicated in the scandal. This revelation comes shortly after Governor Uba Sani expressed frustration at a town hall meeting over the substantial debts left by El-Rufai, which have hindered his government’s ability to fulfill campaign promises. According to Governor Sani, a significant portion of the state’s monthly federal allocation is being used to repay these debts, making it difficult to even pay workers’ salaries.

‘I am Justified

Senator Shehu Sani, a vocal critic of the El-Rufai administration, has seized on the report as proof of his longstanding accusations against the former governor. Representing Kaduna Central during El-Rufai’s tenure, Senator Sani consistently alleged systematic looting by El-Rufai and now sees the assembly’s findings as vindication of his claims.

In a recent social media post, Senator Sani reiterated his warnings from 2018, when he played a crucial role in the Senate’s rejection of El-Rufai’s $350 million loan request. He argued that approving the loan would dangerously inflate the state’s debt to $582.1 million. Ironically, El-Rufai is reported to have secured the loan a year later with the help of Senator Uba Sani, who succeeded him. This historical context adds another layer to the current scandal, highlighting the deep and complex political rift between El-Rufai and Uba Sani, exacerbated by the financial turmoil now coming to light.

Roots of the Rift between Uba Sani and El-Rufai

The animosity between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and current Governor Uba Sani has reportedly been brewing since the Senate’s rejection of Rufai’s appointment. Allegedly, this rejection was due to a failed security test. In response, Rufai proposed a loyalist from his senatorial district as a replacement, a move that did not sit well with Sani.

Sources within the party indicate that Governor Sani viewed Rufai’s action as a sign of disrespect, particularly in light of El-Rufai’s own disqualification. The perception among Sani’s camp is that Rufai, having failed to secure the appointment, lacked the standing to influence the nomination of a replacement. This incident appears to have intensified existing tensions, solidifying the rift between the two political figures.

Political and Regional Implications

Governor Sani is reportedly making concerted efforts to address what he sees as the injustices of the Rufai era. Party insiders suggest that Sani is focusing on correcting the marginalization of certain regions within the state, a legacy issue that many believe was exacerbated under Rufai’s administration. Sani’s approach is seen as an attempt to heal divisions and foster inclusivity.

Additionally, sources claim that Sani is distancing himself from ElRufai’s alleged divisive and religiously charged politics. These tactics, they argue, heightened state tensions and nearly jeopardized the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s hold on the governorship during the 2023 election. Sani’s victory over the Labour Party candidate by a narrow margin of just 10,000 votes underscores the precariousness of the political climate and the need for a more unifying approach moving forward.