Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has launched a scathing attack on ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of lacking democratic values and promoting political thuggery during his administration.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics Tonight on Monday, Sani argued that El-Rufai never contributed to Nigeria’s democratic struggle and therefore had little appreciation for its principles.
“For people like Nasir, when they found themselves in a position or office, they don’t know what democracy is all about because they didn’t fight for it,” Sani said.
“He was unknown before 1999. He has never been to prison, never worn handcuffs, never paid any price for this democracy.”
Contrasting their political experiences, the former lawmaker recalled his own years of imprisonment and persecution during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles.
“I wore prison uniforms. I wore leg chains. I wore handcuffs as a political prisoner fighting for this democracy that is 25 years old,” he stated.
Sani also accused El-Rufai of entrenching political violence in Kaduna, alleging that he bred and empowered thugs to suppress opposition between 2015 and 2023.
“To show you that Nasir El-Rufai was the architect of thuggery, political violence, and bloodshed in Kaduna State, he created a group of thugs that became his unofficial force against political opponents,” he claimed.
The ex-senator further described El-Rufai as arrogant and intolerant of dissent, citing mass sackings of teachers and civil servants, as well as demolitions carried out under his watch.
“He didn’t care when he was in office. Nobody could caution him.
That is why he could sack thousands of teachers and civil servants or demolish houses without restraint,” Sani added.