Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has firmly rejected the idea that he is a political student of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai. Instead, he named President Bola Tinubu and the late human rights lawyer Chief Gani Fawehinmi as his true mentors.
Speaking on a television programme, Governor Sani said he saw no need to answer claims about being under Mr El-Rufai’s influence. “I don’t think it is necessary to respond to that comment,” he stated. “What I can say is that there are a lot of people in my life. Even President Bola Tinubu — I met him in 1994 at the house of Beko Ransome-Kuti. Gani is a leader and father to me, because during the era of struggle, I lived and stayed in his house.”
He added that his only focus is on governing Kaduna, saying, “My focus is Kaduna. I don’t talk about individuals; I don’t get distracted, my eyes are on the ball.”
The governor also strongly denied rumours that his administration is paying ransoms to bandits, calling these claims false and politically motivated. “Some politicians are playing with insecurity. People should ignore them. We are not paying ransom to any bandit,” he declared.
He explained that the government uses both security operations and community engagement to improve safety. He credited local leaders in areas like Birnin Gwari for proposing helpful non-violent solutions.
When asked about a recent violent disruption of an opposition meeting, Governor Sani distanced himself from the event. Stressing his own background as an activist detained multiple times for defending the rule of law, he said, “I will never be part of anything to stop anyone’s political activities.”
He also pointed to his party’s major election wins in Kaduna as proof that his government includes all people, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
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