Shehu Sani Says El-Rufai–Ashiru Alliance Will Fail in Kaduna

Former Senator Shehu Sani, a well-known civil rights activist and politician from Kaduna State, has dismissed reports of a political alliance involving former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari Ashiru as incapable of dislodging the incumbent governor in the 2027 elections, saying the purported coalition will “fail woefully” if pursued.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, January 20, 2026, Sani rejected narratives suggesting that opposition forces, including elements of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were coordinating with El-Rufai and Ashiru to unseat Governor Uba Sani. According to Sani, such political manoeuvres lack the grassroots foundation and broad public support necessary to succeed.

“There is no political plot, whether by individuals or parties, that can override the will of the people of Kaduna State,” Sani asserted, describing the alleged coalition as “dead on arrival” due to the absence of genuine structures at ward and community levels. He emphasised that opposition parties “exist largely on paper” in the state and do not possess the widespread grassroots reach needed to mount a serious challenge.

Sani’s confidence in the ruling administration’s prospects for re-election stems from what he described as Governor Uba Sani’s record of achievements in governance. He highlighted improvements in security, infrastructure and inclusive leadership as key factors that would influence voter sentiment in 2027. According to the former senator, the governor’s administration has delivered projects across all three senatorial zones — rural and urban — and fostered genuine unity between religious communities in a state historically marked by sectarian tensions.

Among the initiatives Sani cited were a $200 million poultry project, the ongoing Kaduna Light Rail system and multi-billion-naira skills acquisition programmes aimed at empowering youth and women. He said these efforts, along with investments in health and education, have created tangible benefits for residents and helped reduce unemployment and insecurity.

Sani further argued that the improved security situation and interfaith harmony in Kaduna — especially when compared with neighbouring states in the North-West region — were creating a more enabling environment for development. He said this positive trajectory would reinforce voters’ preference for continuity and practical results rather than experimental political alliances.

While opposition figures have hinted at collaborations aimed at challenging the APC-led government in Kaduna, Sani insisted that elections are ultimately decided by service delivery and popular support, not elite pacts or speculative arrangements. He cautioned political actors to focus on constructive engagement and issue-based politics as the 2027 general election cycle approaches.

Political analysts say the remarks from Sani reflect ongoing uncertainty within opposition ranks, as parties and leaders seek viable strategies to expand their influence in states like Kaduna where incumbents hold structural advantages. The insistence that any alliance “will fail woefully” underscores the hurdles facing opposition coalitions in gaining traction ahead of Nigeria’s next major electoral contest.

Sani’s comments are likely to draw reactions from both supporters and critics of the alleged alliance, as the debate over political realignments and electoral strategy continues to unfold across Nigeria’s evolving political terrain.