Christian Simon
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has slammed ex-Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fiscal policies, particularly regarding alleged deductions from federal allocations.
In a pointed post on his verified Facebook page, Sani accused El-Rufai of hypocrisy, recalling how the former governor presided over Kaduna State at a time when local government funds were allegedly diverted with impunity throughout his eight-year tenure.
“Is this not the same El-Rufai who allegedly tampered with LG funds consistently during his time as governor? How come no one held him accountable then?” Sani wrote, echoing widespread frustration expressed by citizens on social media platforms.
During El-Rufai’s administration from 2015 to 2023, several local government chairmen reportedly complained about irregular remittances and the lack of financial autonomy. These complaints, however, did not result in any meaningful action from the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which was largely seen as loyal to the governor.
The former governor recently made headlines after criticizing the Tinubu administration over the removal of fuel subsidies and what he described as “unjust deductions” from federal allocations to states. His remarks have sparked widespread debate, with many questioning his moral authority to speak on financial management.
El-Rufai’s comments come at a time when President Tinubu is under fire for implementing sweeping economic reforms that, while aimed at stabilizing the economy, have reportedly worsened the fiscal realities of many state governments and everyday Nigerians.
While some view El-Rufai’s criticism as a principled stand, others—including Shehu Sani—see it as a politically calculated move to distance himself from the consequences of similar policies he once championed. Political commentators note that El-Rufai, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had been a vocal supporter of subsidy removal during his own time in office.
“This is typical of Nigerian politicians,” said one analyst. “They govern with iron fists, then leave office and try to rebrand as people’s champions.”
Civil society groups have also joined the fray, calling for consistent accountability. “Whether you’re in office or out of office, you must be held to account for your actions,” said a spokesperson from a Kaduna-based governance watchdog. “El-Rufai should explain what happened to local government funds under his administration before attacking Tinubu.”
As public scrutiny grows, observers say the spat between Sani and El-Rufai is symptomatic of a larger crisis in Nigerian governance—where accusations of mismanagement are weaponized in political battles, but seldom lead to justice or reform.
For now, many Nigerians remain skeptical, demanding transparency not just from President Tinubu’s government, but from all public officials, past and present.
Middle-Belt Times 