Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has rejected claims by his predecessor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, that he is one of El-Rufai’s mentees, asserting instead that his political inspirations are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
El-Rufai, in a recent interview with Channels Television, described Sani as one of the many individuals he had mentored. He said, “Uba Sani is one of my mentees. I developed many of them. My biggest pride in life is that I’ve elevated many people. I’ve encouraged and mentored many people to greatness, some even greater than me, and I’m very proud of it.”
Speaking to TVC on Sunday, Governor Sani declined to engage in personal disputes, emphasising that his focus remains on serving the people of Kaduna State. “I don’t think it is necessary for me to respond to that comment because I have no time to dwell on it,” he said.
Sani highlighted President Tinubu and the late Fawehinmi as key figures in his political journey. “I have worked with many people in my life. Even President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—I met him in 1994 at Beko Ransom Kuti’s house, and I still regard him as my leader. Chief Gani Fawehinmi was a leader and a father to me because, during the era of struggle, I lived in his house,” he explained.
The governor reiterated that individual remarks would not distract him, stressing his commitment to governance in Kaduna. “If someone speaks about me, I will not comment. My focus is Kaduna. I do not get distracted; my eyes are on the ball,” he added.
Sani previously served as El-Rufai’s political adviser from 2015 to 2019. Ahead of the 2019 elections, El-Rufai backed him to succeed Shehu Sani as senator for Kaduna Central.
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