El-Rufai Is Paying Price for His Actions in Office — Shehu Sani

By Paul Joseph

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has said former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is facing the consequences of decisions made during his eight years in office.

Sani made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, September 25, while commenting on El-Rufai’s detention and ongoing legal battles.

According to Sani, public office is temporary and those who exercise power should be mindful that their actions while in office may later come under scrutiny.

“El-Rufai is paying the price for his misgovernance and his irresponsibility when he was in public office,” Sani said.

The former senator also said he understood the difficulties associated with detention, drawing from his own experience as a pro-democracy activist who spent years in prison.

Sani further alleged that the El-Rufai administration, which governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, used state institutions against some critics and opponents.

He referenced the arrest of journalist Luka Binyat and other cases involving community leaders, religious figures and academics, presenting them as examples of what he considered excessive use of state power.

Sani also questioned the administration’s handling of insecurity in Kaduna, particularly in parts of Southern and Central Kaduna, and criticised reported engagements between the state authorities and bandits during the period.

The allegations and characterisations were made by Sani and do not amount to court findings against El-Rufai.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai remains involved in separate legal proceedings.

The ICPC confirmed in February 2026 that the former governor was in its custody in connection with an investigation involving allegations including money laundering and abuse of office. The commission has said his detention was authorised by a court.

In a separate case filed by the Department of State Services, El-Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge relating to alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications linked to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

The Federal High Court in Abuja fixed October 26, 2026, to rule on El-Rufai’s no-case submission after lawyers for both sides adopted their arguments.

El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing in the cases and is challenging the allegations through the courts.

The former governor’s record in Kaduna, as well as the cases currently before the courts, remains a subject of political and public debate.