Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, has sharply criticized his successor, Governor Uba Sani, accusing him of sycophancy for aligning himself with President Bola Tinubu in exchange for personal political advantages.
El-Rufai’s remarks came in response to Sani’s comments during a TVC News interview on Monday, where the governor condemned founding members of the APC for their growing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s administration.
Sani had expressed disappointment over the criticism, calling it undemocratic, and accused some party members of inciting unrest and encouraging unlawful resistance against Tinubu’s government.
He challenged the critics, stating that if they believed they could defeat President Tinubu, they should contest in the 2027 elections.
“I was really surprised when I heard the coalition of politicians making these comments at such a crucial time. Some even called for people to take the law into their own hands. Any politician who feels they can defeat Bola Tinubu or the APC should work hard and present themselves in the next election,” he said.
In a response posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, El-Rufai claimed that Sani’s unwavering support for Tinubu was due to the over N150 billion in federal reimbursements received by Kaduna State in the past 18 months.
El-Rufai said, “Every time I see this governor embarrassingly and sycophantically rambling, I used to wonder why. But now, with the confirmation that Kaduna has received more than N150 billion in federal reimbursements, interventions, and grants under Tinubu in the last 18 months, everything makes sense.”
El-Rufai further mocked Sani’s position, stating, “By all means, defend Asiwaju for the conditional cash transfer. Asiwaju has earned it, coming from you. The people of Kaduna State will judge at the right time and place. Have a nice day.”
