Face Your Allegations, Not Ribadu: Shehu Sani Blasts Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai

Introduction: A Scathing Call for Accountability

In a potent critique of political deflection tactics in Nigeria, former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has publicly admonished ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State. Sani’s message is direct: instead of addressing the serious allegations confronting him, El-Rufai is attempting to divert public and institutional attention by launching what Sani terms “phantom claims” against the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. This incident transcends a personal spat between two prominent figures; it encapsulates a fundamental tension in Nigeria’s democratic evolution—the persistent challenge of holding powerful former public officers accountable for their actions while in office. Sani frames El-Rufai’s strategy as a dangerous precedent that undermines justice, erodes public trust, and sends a perilous message to current leaders about impunity. This article dissects the exchange, explores the broader context of governance and accountability in Kaduna and Nigeria, and provides a framework for understanding why such public debates are critical for the nation’s democratic health.

Key Points: The Core of Sani’s Argument

Shehu Sani’s statement, posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) platform, contains several key assertions that form the backbone of his criticism:

• Focus on the Allegations: Sani insists El-Rufai must confront the specific allegations made against him directly, rather than engaging in what he describes as distraction tactics.
• Questioning Timing and Motive: He highlights the suspicious timing of El-Rufai’s claims against NSA Ribadu, which only emerged after El-Rufai himself was reportedly invited by government authorities. This, Sani suggests, indicates a calculated diversionary strategy.
• Reference to Historical Grievances: Sani alludes to a period of alleged victimization during El-Rufai’s tenure (2015-2023), mentioning families framed and dragged through police and court systems in Kaduna. He states that some victims have chosen forgiveness but urge El-Rufai to face his “karma” with maturity.
• Broader Societal Warning: The central thesis is that shielding former leaders from accountability creates a culture of impunity. It signals to current officeholders that they, too, will be protected post-tenure, thereby incentivizing abuse of power.
• Call for Maturity and Decorum: Sani urges El-Rufai to handle the situation with “maturity, decorum, and faith,” implying that the current approach is unbecoming of a former governor.

Background: The Actors and the Allegations

The Principal Figures

Nasir El-Rufai: Served as the Executive Governor of Kaduna State from May 2015 to May 2023. A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he is known for his technocratic style, assertive governance, and controversial policies, including significant investments in infrastructure and education, but also for a perceived authoritarian streak and intolerance for opposition. His tenure was marked by intense political polarization, clashes with federal authorities, and numerous allegations of high-handedness, electoral manipulation, and human rights abuses against critics.

Shehu Sani: A former Senator (2015-2019) representing Kaduna Central, Sani is a prominent activist-turned-politician, human rights advocate, and social critic. Known for his vocal stance on governance and accountability, he often positions himself as a moral conscience within Nigerian politics. His criticism of El-Rufai is consistent with his long-standing narrative on the abuse of state power.

Nuhu Ribadu: Appointed National Security Adviser (NSA) by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023. Ribadu is a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), renowned for his anti-corruption crusade in the late 2000s. His appointment signaled a focus on national security and, implicitly, a potential review of past security and governance failures.

Nature of the Allegations Against El-Rufai

While Sani’s post does not itemize the specific allegations prompting the “invitation” he references, they fall within well-documented categories raised during and after El-Rufai’s governorship:

• Human Rights and Political Persecution: Allegations include the use of state security apparatus to intimidate, arrest, and detain political opponents, critics, and journalists. Cases like the prolonged detention of activist Luka Binniyat and the raid on the Kaduna-based newspaper, Daily Nigerian, under its publisher, Chief Danladi Umar, are frequently cited.
• Electoral Malpractices: The 2019 and 2023 governorship elections in Kaduna were marred by widespread reports of violence, vote suppression, and manipulation, particularly in opposition strongholds. El-Rufai’s administration was accused of orchestrating these acts.
• Financial Mismanagement and Corruption: Civil society organizations and opposition figures have consistently raised questions about the opacity of Kaduna State’s finances, including massive borrowing for projects with questionable viability and alleged contract inflation.
• Authoritarian Governance: Critics describe a governance style characterized by the silencing of dissent, control of traditional institutions, and the weaponization of state institutions against perceived enemies.

These are not new claims; they have been the subject of petitions to human rights bodies, media investigations, and opposition rhetoric for years. The recent development, as hinted by Sani, is the suggestion that these matters are now being formally reviewed by federal authorities, possibly under the administration of President Tinubu, who has a complex political history with El-Rufai.

Analysis: The Dynamics of Deflection and Accountability

The “Phantom Claims” Tactic

Sani’s characterization of El-Rufai’s move as “phantom claims” against NSA Ribadu is a critical political diagnosis. This tactic, common in adversarial politics, involves a figure under scrutiny manufacturing or highlighting allegations against a powerful third party—often someone in the current administration—to achieve several objectives:

• Shift the Media Narrative: Redirecting news cycles from the original allegations to a new, potentially sensational controversy involving a high-profile figure like the NSA.
• Political Equivalence: Creating a false moral equivalence. The implied argument is, “If Ribadu did X, then my actions are justified or less severe.”
• Polarization and Base Mobilization: For supporters, attacking a figure like Ribadu (who has his own history of enemies) can rally the base by framing the ex-governor as a victim of a larger political witch-hunt.
• Intimidation and Deterrence: By targeting a current top security official, the message is sent to the investigating authorities: pursuing this case will create a major internal rift and potentially destabilize the security apparatus.

Sani correctly identifies the timing as the tell. The claims only surfaced after El-Rufai’s own invitation. This chronology strongly suggests the allegations against Ribadu are a reactive, not proactive, tool—a shield, not a sword.

The “Karma” and Forgiveness Narrative

Sani’s reference to forgiveness from “those people whom he once traumatised” is a masterful rhetorical move. It accomplishes several things:

• Moral High Ground: It portrays the victims (and by extension, Sani) as magnanimous, contrasting with El-Rufai’s perceived defensiveness.
• Historical Validation: It implicitly confirms that the atrocities alleged during El-Rufai’s tenure are factual and remembered by victims.
• Spiritual and Ethical Framing: The mention of “karma” and “faith” elevates the issue from mere politics to a cosmic moral order, suggesting that accountability is inevitable, even if delayed.
• Warning, Not Revenge: The call to “learn to face his karma with maturity” frames the current situation as an unavoidable consequence of past actions, not a politically motivated attack.

This narrative directly counters the victimization-elite narrative often used by powerful figures, where they position themselves as the true victims of political conspiracies.

The Societal Danger of Impunity

Sani’s gravest warning is societal: “If our society continues to pamper and protect past leaders… it sends a clear… message to those in power today.” This is the core principle of transitional justice. When former leaders are seen to operate above the law:

1. Institutional Erosion: It weakens the integrity of oversight institutions like the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the judiciary. If they cannot act against a powerful ex-governor, their efficacy is doubted.
2. Culture of Fear and Cynicism: Citizens learn that power is a shield, not a public trust. This breeds political apathy, cynicism, and a decline in civic engagement.
3. Encouragement of Future Abuses: Current incumbents calculate that if their predecessors escaped unscathed, they likely will too. This directly incentivizes more egregious abuse of office, as the perceived risk of post-tenure consequences diminishes.
4. Undermining of Social Contract: The fundamental agreement that leaders will be judged by their performance in office is broken, replacing it with a system of patronage and protection based on political affiliation and power retention.

Therefore, Sani’s critique is not merely about El-Rufai; it is about the systemic health of Nigerian democracy. The “El-Rufai test”—whether he is held accountable—becomes a benchmark for the Tinubu administration’s commitment to fighting selective justice and true accountability.

Practical Advice: For Citizens, Media, and Institutions

This episode offers lessons for various stakeholders in Nigeria’s democracy:

For the Public and Civil Society

• Follow the Facts, Not the Noise: In the face of deflection, consciously track the original allegations. Document them. Use the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to request relevant documents from Kaduna State or federal agencies regarding specific projects, security reports, or financial transactions from the El-Rufai era.
• Demand Institutional Independence: Pressure bodies like the EFCC, ICPC, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to demonstrate impartiality. Support their budgetary and operational autonomy in legislative advocacy.
• Amplify Victim Voices: Center the narratives of those who allege victimization during the El-Rufai administration. Their testimonies are the most powerful evidence against historical impunity. Support documentation projects by credible NGOs.
• Vote with Accountability in Mind: In future elections, prioritize candidates with demonstrable records of transparency and respect for civic space. Use past performance under El-Rufai as a case study for evaluating all aspirants.

For the Media

• Refuse the Deflection: Journalists must consciously avoid being baited into covering the “phantom claims” as the primary story. Frame stories as: “While El-Rufai makes claims against NSA Ribadu, here is a reminder of the outstanding allegations against him…”
• Deep Dive Investigations: Use this moment to publish comprehensive timelines of El-Rufai’s governorship, juxtaposing major policies with concurrent allegations of rights abuses and financial irregularities.
• Fact-Check in Real-Time: Scrutinize the specific claims made against NSA Ribadu. Are they new? Are they verifiable? Are they being made under privilege (e.g., in a legislative hearing) or as unsubstantiated allegations? Contextualize them within Ribadu’s own well-documented career.
• Hold the “Inviting Authority” Accountable: Investigate and report on which “government” or agency invited El-Rufai. Is it the EFCC? The DSS? A presidential panel? Transparency about the investigating body is crucial.

For Political Actors and Opponents

• Stay on Message: Like Sani did, consistently redirect the conversation to the core allegations. Do not engage in tit-for-tat mudslinging that obscures the accountability issue.
• Build Coalitions: Cross-party, non-partisan coalitions of civil society, professional bodies, and moderate political figures applying pressure for investigation are more potent and less easily dismissed.
• Use Legal and Institutional Channels: Ensure petitions and evidence are formally submitted to relevant anti-corruption agencies and retained by legal teams. Public statements should reference these formal submissions.
• Prepare for Long Haul: Accountability for powerful figures is rarely swift. Strategies must be sustainable, focusing on keeping issues alive in public discourse and within institutional files for years if necessary.

FAQ: Common Questions About This Political Development

1. What are the specific allegations El-Rufai is facing?

While the precise formal invitation details are not public, the allegations broadly concern: a) Human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention and persecution of political opponents and journalists during his tenure as Kaduna Governor; b) Electoral violence and manipulation in the 2019