A former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has stated that the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is a consequence of his actions while in office. Sani alleged that several people were arrested and detained during El-Rufai's administration. He made these comments during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today on Friday. Sani emphasized that people in public office should remember that power is temporary.
Sani's comments come as El-Rufai has reportedly been in detention for over 200 days. The former senator noted that it was natural for individuals to lose relationships when they are no longer in positions of influence. He also shared his experience of being imprisoned for four years, stating that he wouldn't lecture others on the pains of imprisonment. Sani added that El-Rufai's reported loss of support while in detention was not unusual.
Shehu Sani criticized El-Rufai's administration, which spanned from 2015 to 2023, describing it as being characterized by misgovernance, irresponsible leadership, and the use of statecraft to attack and jail opponents. Sani's allegations reflect his perception of El-Rufai's governance style during his tenure. The former senator also questioned the effectiveness of the security measures adopted by the El-Rufai administration.
The discussion also touched on comments by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, concerning the treatment of people in Southern Kaduna under the former governor. Sani argued that many people commenting on the issue had no direct knowledge of the area. He stated that insecurity had affected communities across Southern and Central Kaduna for years and that the state government did not do enough to support security agencies.
Sani expressed concerns about the El-Rufai administration's approach to dealing with banditry. He accused the former governor of inconsistency, citing reports that Kaduna authorities had negotiated with bandits during his tenure. The case of Binyat, a journalist arrested after reporting on alleged payments to bandits by the Kaduna State Government, was also mentioned.
Shehu Sani emphasized that the experience of people who had previously exercised power should serve as a reminder that public office is temporary and that decisions taken in office could later attract scrutiny. He recalled El-Rufai's stance on dealing with bandits, which included reports of paying them not to kill. Sani's comments reflect his perspective on El-Rufai's governance and its consequences.
The detention of El-Rufai and the comments by Shehu Sani have sparked discussions about governance and accountability in Nigeria. As a journalist at Punch Newspapers, Olugbenga Ige reported on Sani's statements, highlighting the complexities of power, governance, and accountability. The conversation surrounding El-Rufai's detention serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible leadership and the consequences of actions taken in public office.
Key points
- Shehu Sani says El-Rufai's detention is a result of his actions while in office.
- Sani criticizes El-Rufai's administration for misgovernance and irresponsible leadership.
- The discussion highlights the complexities of power, governance, and accountability in Nigeria.
