Shehu Sani to El-Rufai: You’re promoting political thuggery in Kaduna

Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has accused ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of institutionalising political thuggery and fostering violence during his eight years in office.

Speaking on TVC’s Politics Tonight on Monday, Sani claimed El-Rufai lacked a genuine understanding of democracy, arguing that unlike others who fought for Nigeria’s democratic restoration, he never endured imprisonment or persecution.

“For people like Nasir, when they found themselves in power, they don’t know what democracy is because they didn’t fight for it,” Sani said, contrasting his own history of imprisonment and political activism with El-Rufai’s rise through the PDP in 1999.

The former lawmaker alleged that between 2015 and 2023, El-Rufai bred an “unofficial force” of thugs used to intimidate political opponents, creating a culture of violence and impunity in Kaduna.

He further accused the former governor of arrogance and high-handedness, citing the mass sack of teachers and civil servants, as well as widespread demolitions of homes and properties, as evidence of his disregard for accountability.

Sani also suggested El-Rufai’s recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s government were driven by bitterness over being sidelined by the current administration.