Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has intensified calls for accountability in Kaduna State, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s eight-year administration for alleged financial impropriety and mismanagement. Sani’s appeal comes amid growing concerns over hardship and human rights abuses reported during El-Rufai’s tenure.
“The EFCC must swing into action and ensure that every allegation raised by the House of Assembly is thoroughly investigated. No one should be above the law,” Sani said at a press briefing in Kaduna on Sunday.
Allegations of Mismanagement
Sani detailed what he described as widespread abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds during El-Rufai’s administration from 2015 to 2023. According to the former lawmaker, the state faced demolitions, rising insecurity, and policies that inflicted pain on ordinary citizens.
“Between 2015 and 2023, our state went through enormous challenges. There were demolitions that displaced people, rising insecurity, and policies that inflicted pain on ordinary citizens,” he said, describing the period as one of the most difficult in Kaduna’s history.
He further questioned El-Rufai’s commitment to democratic principles, pointing to arrests and detentions of journalists, activists, clerics, and community leaders during his tenure. Sani also highlighted unresolved cases, including the disappearance of political activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, missing since 2019.
“We cannot talk about justice and accountability without addressing unresolved cases like that of Dadiyata. Security agencies must redouble their efforts,” Sani added.
Criticism of El-Rufai’s Recent Statements
Sani’s call for action followed El-Rufai’s recent interview on Arise TV, where the former governor criticised the current administration. Sani described these remarks as politically inconsistent, noting that El-Rufai had actively campaigned for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections.
“You cannot market a candidate to Nigerians as the best option and later turn around to attack the same government. That is political inconsistency,” he said.
The former senator also claimed that El-Rufai had lost political relevance before leaving office, pointing to the ruling party’s poor performance in parts of Kaduna during the last general elections.
Support for Current Administration and Peace Initiatives
While urging investigations into El-Rufai’s administration, Sani commended current Governor Uba Sani for what he described as improvements in security, particularly a reduction in kidnappings. He encouraged residents to continue supporting ongoing peace initiatives in the state.
Ahead of 2027, Sani stated that he remains aligned with the principle of electing leaders based on competence, integrity, and commitment to national unity, even as he declared his support for the current administration’s efforts.
El-Rufai’s Response
El-Rufai has repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing, asserting that his administration implemented reforms aimed at improving governance and fiscal discipline in Kaduna State.
As calls for accountability grow louder, Shehu Sani’s demand for the EFCC to probe El-Rufai’s hidden billions reflects the continuing tension between political leaders and anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria and raises questions about transparency, justice, and the proper management of public resources.
