Uba Sani Financed El-Rufai’s Lawyers for 7 Years and Stood by Him in Exile When Everyone Deserted Him – Senator Shehu Sani
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has set the record straight regarding the political relationship between the current Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, and his predecessor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Addressing public assertions that El-Rufai single-handedly made Uba Sani governor out of sheer benevolence, Senator Sani revealed that Governor Uba Sani had previously made immense personal, political, and financial sacrifices to protect El-Rufai during his time of trial and political exile.
Recounting the political history between both figures in an interview with ATP Hausa, senator Sani detailed how Uba Sani risked his safety and reputation to defend El-Rufai when the former FCT Minister fell out with successive federal administrations under late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Standing by El-Rufai in Exile and Facing Federal Power
According to Senator Sani, when El-Rufai fled Nigeria into exile post-2007 following intense political friction with President Yar’Adua, most of his political allies deserted him.
“When Nasir fled into exile, everybody deserted him. It was Uba Sani who stayed behind, took care of his family, rallied his political associates, and continually defended his interests against the federal government,” Sani stated.
He highlighted that Uba Sani served as the chief coordinator for El-Rufai’s political backing at a time when standing by the former minister attracted severe political risk.
Funding 7-Year Legal Battles Against EFCC and Senate Panels
Senator Sani further disclosed that Uba Sani took the lead in securing and financing legal defense teams when El-Rufai and his close associates—including the current Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas—faced long-drawn legal prosecutions by federal authorities and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“There was a panel set up by the Attorney-General to investigate Nasir, leading to court charges that lasted for seven years,” Sani explained. “Uba Sani was at the forefront, hiring and paying lawyers to defend Nasir throughout that seven-year ordeal when nobody else dared to speak on his behalf.”
A Relationship Built on Reciprocity
Senator Shehu Sani concluded by calling on commentators to evaluate the dynamic between both political figures through a lens of mutual loyalty rather than one-sided political favor. He emphasized that Uba Sani’s eventual elevation to the Senate and subsequently to the governorship of Kaduna State was an earned reward for his unwavering loyalty during El-Rufai’s darkest hours.
“Before people claim Nasir made Uba Sani a governor, they must first ask what Uba Sani did for Nasir when he was facing imprisonment, exile, and political isolation,” Shehu Sani asserted.
