A fresh political controversy has emerged in Kaduna State as former Senator Shehu Sani dismissed claims by ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai that he single-handedly secured victory for President Bola Tinubu in the state during the 2023 presidential election.
El-Rufai, who served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory before becoming Kaduna’s governor, made the claim during an interview on Arise TV on Monday.
He asserted that his influence and political structure delivered a massive number of votes for Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, he expressed disappointment that, despite his efforts, the President did not appoint him as a minister.
In response, Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, accused El-Rufai of distorting facts, stating that election results prove the former governor did not secure Kaduna for Tinubu.
“Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Sani posted the official presidential election results for Kaduna State, which showed that Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won the state.
According to him, Atiku Abubakar (PDP) pulled 554,360 votes, Bola Tinubu (APC) got 399,294 votes while Peter Obi of the Labour Party got 294,494 votes.
Sani also referenced an incident involving Peter Obi, alleging that the Labour Party candidate was denied the use of Arewa House for his campaign event despite making payment.
“In case anyone from Kaduna State tries to lie that he delivered Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election and he is entitled, this was the result,” Sani wrote, in an apparent jab at El-Rufai.
Political analysts say the exchange between El-Rufai and Sani reflects the deeper divisions within the APC and the broader political landscape in Kaduna.
Dr. Yusuf Bala, a political analyst at Ahmadu Bello University, described El-Rufai’s claims as an attempt to remain politically relevant after being sidelined by the Tinubu administration.
“El-Rufai’s assertion appears to be an attempt to justify his expectations for a ministerial position.
“However, the election results suggest that Kaduna was not won by the APC, and such claims are not backed by data,” Bala said.
Another analyst, Musa Garba, noted that El-Rufai’s public complaints about not being appointed as a minister indicate frustration over his diminishing influence.
“El-Rufai was once a key player in the APC, but the reality is that his political relevance is being challenged, even within his own party. His fallout with the Tinubu administration suggests deeper rifts within the APC’s power structure,” Garba added.
The disagreement between El-Rufai and Sani underscores the shifting political dynamics in Kaduna and the APC at large.
With Atiku winning the state in the last election, many observers believe that El-Rufai’s influence may not be as strong as he claims.
As the 2027 elections approach, political tensions are likely to intensify, with key players jostling for dominance in both Kaduna and national politics.