Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has publicly rejected former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s description of him as a mentee, instead identifying President Bola Tinubu and the late human rights lawyer Chief Gani Fawehinmi as his true political influences. The clarification came during an interview with TVC on Sunday, in response to El-Rufai’s recent assertion on Channels Television that Governor Sani was among numerous protégés he had nurtured in politics.
Governor Sani declined to engage in personal exchanges, emphasizing his singular focus on governance and development in Kaduna State. He stated that he had no intention of responding in detail to El-Rufai’s remarks, noting that such discussions distract from the pressing needs of the state. Instead, he reflected on the figures who genuinely shaped his political consciousness, recalling his first meeting with President Tinubu in 1994 at the home of the late activist Dr. Beko Ransom-Kuti. He also highlighted the profound influence of Chief Fawehinmi, with whom he lived during years of pro-democracy activism.
Sani served as El-Rufai’s political adviser between 2015 and 2019 and was later supported by the former governor in his successful bid for the Kaduna Central senatorial seat in 2019. Despite this history of collaboration, Governor Sani’s latest comments signal a deliberate effort to define his political identity independently and align more closely with national leadership under President Tinubu.
The governor reiterated that his administration remains dedicated to addressing security challenges, improving infrastructure, and fostering economic growth in Kaduna, free from the distractions of political rhetoric or personal narratives. His response reflects a strategic pivot toward emphasizing performance and governance over past affiliations, as he seeks to consolidate his own legacy amid Nigeria’s complex political landscape.
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