Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has reaffirmed his respect for former governor Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that he has never made negative comments about his predecessor despite public speculation about their relationship and El-Rufai’s continued detention.
Sani said he remained committed to maintaining a respectful relationship with the former governor but would not disclose the private steps he had taken to show his regard for him.
The governor spoke 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, which began in 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 rejected any attempt to associate him with a statement reportedly made by one of his party supporters, who 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 declined to provide details of any private interventions he might have made regarding El-Rufai’s situation, explaining that he did not believe respect should be demonstrated through public declarations.
“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 maintained that he had not contradicted his previous statements about El-Rufai, stressing that his position had remained unchanged since taking office.
“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 disclosed that he regularly engages former Kaduna State governors for advice on governance, noting that their experience could help improve decision-making and the execution of development projects.
He mentioned former governor Ahmed Makarfi as one of the leaders he consults, citing discussions on road construction, including 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.
According to Sani, no governor has all the answers, making it necessary for those in office to seek guidance from experienced leaders and remain open to advice.
“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 noted that former governors could offer useful insights into projects and policies they had hoped to implement but were unable to complete during their tenures.
The Kaduna governor also revealed that he had sought advice from former Vice President Namadi Sambo, from whom he obtained the design for the Government House project.
Sani insisted that he harboured no ill feelings towards any of his predecessors, adding that he had warned from the outset that leading a state would inevitably come with difficulties.
“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.
