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

File: Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has said he has never spoken ill of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, despite questions surrounding their relationship and his former political leader’s continued detention.

Sani said he still had tremendous respect for the former governor and would not make public all the steps he had taken to demonstrate his regard for him.

The governor stated this during an interview on Trust TV’s Daily Politics on Tuesday, when asked whether he feared El-Rufai’s influence ahead of the next election and whether he was concerned about his continued 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.

He also distanced himself from a comment by a supporter of his party who reportedly suggested that El-Rufai should 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, however, declined to disclose details of any behind-the-scenes efforts he might have made concerning the former governor’s situation, saying he preferred to keep such matters private.

“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.”

The governor also dismissed suggestions that his relationship with El-Rufai had been defined by public disagreements, insisting that his position had remained consistent since he assumed office.

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“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 further explained that he maintained relationships with former governors of Kaduna State and regularly consulted them on governance and development projects.

He cited his consultations with former governor Ahmed Makarfi on road construction, including the road linking Soba and Zaria, which he said was influenced by their discussions.

“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, former governors possess valuable experience that can help their successors make better 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.

He added that his administration was willing to learn from the experiences of his predecessors, noting that they might have had plans they could not implement while in office.

Sani said he had also consulted former Vice President Namadi Sambo on the design of a project, explaining that he obtained the design of the Government House from him.

The governor maintained that he had nothing against any of his predecessors, adding that he had warned from the beginning of his administration that governance would come 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.