Governor Uba Sani named President Bola Tinubu and late Gani Fawehinmi as his political mentors, but avoided mentioning former governor Nasir El-Rufai
El-Rufai previously described Sani as his mentee, while Sani once hailed El-Rufai as his “boss, mentor, friend, and ally” in a 2022 birthday tribute
Despite El-Rufai’s past support that helped Sani rise politically, the two leaders have since fallen out after the 2023 elections
Legit reports that the immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, had described Sani as his mentee. Also, the both political actors have been at loggerheads for a while now.
The former governor said during an on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television said: “Yes, 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.”
Reacting during the TVC interview, Sani skipped El-Rufai when asked about his mentors. Specifically, the governor mentioned President Bola Tinubu and the late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, as his political mentors.
Uba Sani spoke while responding to questions during an interview on TVC, on Sunday, September 8. Responding, the governor said his focus was on delivering good governance in Kaduna rather than responding to insinuations about political mentorship.
“I don’t think it is necessary to respond to that comment. I have worked with a lot of people in my life. Even President Bola Tinubu — I met him in 1994 at the house of Beko Ransome-Kuti. I still regard him as my leader.
“Chief Gani Fawehinmi is a leader and father to me, because during the era of struggle, I lived and stayed in his house. My focus is Kaduna. I don’t talk about individuals; I don’t get distracted, my eyes are on the ball.”
However, a 2022 statement made by governor Sani when El-Rufai, clocked 62 years, revealed that the current governor, who at that time was the Senator representing Kaduna Central, paid a glowing tribute to El-Rufai on his birthday anniversary.
Sani’s old post resurfaced online wherein he expressly described El-Rufai as his mentor.
The post on his verified Facebook page with the title “GOVERNOR EL-RUFAI AT 62: SALUTE TO A TRAILBLAZER,” reads: “Special salute to my dear boss, mentor, friend and dependable political ally on the auspicious occasion of his 62nd birthday, Governor Nasir El-Rufai is indeed a special gift to Kaduna State and Nigeria; innovative, creative, resourceful, energetic, dynamic, committed and progressive.”
As reported by Daily Trust, that Sani, on February 16 this year while felicitating with his predecessor on his 65th birthday anniversary, failed to call El-Rufai his mentor.
He described him as a brother and friend.
The governor wrote, “I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to my dear brother, friend and predecessor, His Excellency Malam Nasir El-Rufai CON, on the occasion of his 65th birthday. I pray the Almighty Allah to continue to guide, protect and strengthen His Excellency.”
As reported by Vanguard, he described El-Rufai as a “boss, mentor, friend and dependable political ally.”
Sani was appointed by El-Rufai during his first time as the Special Adviser, Political and Intergovernmental Affairs. Riding on El-Rufai’s influence, he was elected Senator representing Kaduna central in 2019.
Also with El-Rufai’s backing, Sani secured the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC’s) nomination and later emerged the winner of the 2023 governorship election in Kaduna state. However, both political leaders fell out shortly after the election, possibly due to their political differences.
