Minister: Gov Sani Denies Opposing El-Rufai’s Nomination

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has denied a social media report that he opposed the ministerial nomination of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai or his recommended replacement. 

El-Rufai is among the 48 ministerial nominees sent to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu but he is yet to be confirmed by the Senate because of security reports against him. 

Following the withholding of his confirmation,  El-Rufai reportedly met with Tinubu last week,  and told him he was no longer interested in being minister. He was said to have recommended his former commissioner,  Jafaru Sani to replace him.

However, Governor Sani has denied the trending social media report that he, at a meeting with President Tinubu, rejected Jafaru’s nomination because he is a loyalist of El-Rufai.

Describing the story as false, malicious and misleading, Sani told Channels Television that he only met with President Tinubu to discuss recent issues concerning his predecessor’s ministerial nomination, and at no time did he oppose or reject the man that was recommended by El-Rufai. 

He explained that the false story was aimed at creating friction between him and el-Rufai, noting that what is paramount to him is the image of his predecessor than any other consideration. 

“What is true in the story is that I met with the president. Every other thing is false and a conjecture to create friction between me and Mallam (El-Rufai),” the governor explained. 

“I went to see the president specifically because I was worried by the turn of events. I believe both of them mean well for the country.”

“At no time did we discuss the issue of replacement. That is the least of my worries.

“If indeed Mallam wants to nominate a replacement, I will never oppose his choice. We are on the same page. Those who know us very well know that this is all lies. We know where the disinformation is coming from but we are not bothered” he stressed.