Recently, a very short video went viral on social media. It was a video of Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai. Though he spoke in the Hausa language, many people interpreted his comment in the video as advising Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC Presidential candidate, to withdraw from the race on account of his age. But that was not the fact. The actual fact, as understood from the whole video, was that the governor was literally washing his hands off future involvement in government on account of his own age. El-Rufai will be 63 years old by the turn of Nigeria’s leadership in 2023. He first came in contact with government service in 1998 when General Abdulsalami Abubakar appointed him an economic adviser. By May 2023, he would have spent 25 years in government service. Pulling out at 63 to enjoy his retirement is generosity. Yielding the space to others shows contentment. It also shows that he accepts the truism that it does not always have to be him alone.
However, he has, within these years stepped on several toes even with his tongue. Some consider his tongue acerbic. But the fact is this: when you focus on and speak the truth, you are bound to offend some and please some. Also, when, as a leader, you are consistent in delivering on your mandate, and are fixated on adding positive value to society as well as delivering good benefits to a greater percentage of the population, you are certain to make enemies. Somehow, that is now an issue in the politics of Kaduna state as campaigns hot up for the governorship seat. Some hitherto allies and friends of the governor, who are now in the opposing camps, are visiting Sen. Uba Sani, the APC governorship candidate, with what they call ‘the sins of el-Rufai’.
This is where the campaigns in Kaduna state become very interesting. As FCT Minister, El-Rufai ensured the restoration of the city master plan. The implication was that properties developed outside the master plan were pulled down. He achieved success, however. As Kaduna governor, he also stepped on toes with his urban renewal project as well as infrastructure development master plan and other policies meant to pull the state through the backwaters of development. It affected some people negatively. Those have been compiled as part of ‘the sins of el-Rufai’ which must be visited on Uba Sani. However, El-Rufai’s outing as a governor could not have been all about ‘sins’. He must also have recorded moments of glory. So, how come no one is transferring El-Rufai’s moments of glory, successes, or achievements to Uba Sani? Why only his ‘sins’?
But, that is the way of politics. Meanwhile, I doubt if anyone, even a father, would like that his ‘sins’ be visited on his successor or children. Perhaps that is why the Holy Bible, in Ezekiel 18:20 dictates that “the son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffers for the iniquity of the son.” That verse of the Bible also said that “the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Why, therefore, would any human being be subjected to suffer for the sins of another person? Uba Sani need not be profiled on the basis of El-Rufai’s ‘sins’. If that is allowed, then, he should also, for the fact of having worked closely with El-Rufai in the past, also, be credited with the achievements of the governor.
Uba Sani ought to be assessed on his own credentials and suitability for the governance of Kaduna State. He will be 52 on December 31. That means he is at the age where his energies are at their peak making it possible that he will re-energize the governmental system in Kaduna state with youthful vigour. His manifesto for the state is packed with promises that would lift the state from where El-Rufai. Somehow, the manifesto presents a picture of the continuation of the successes achieved by Sani in his outing as a Senator of the Federal Republic representing, and fighting for the interest, of Kaduna Central district.
Despite being El-Rufai’s trusted associate, Uba Sani did not become the governorship candidate of the APC in Kaduna on account of his friendship with the governor. His credentials speak for him. In fact, he is seen by many as the best pick among the pack of candidates eyeing the governorship of Kaduna. Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas, a member of the House of Representatives representing Zaria Federal Constituency attests to this fact when he said that Uba Sani is the best senator to have come from the northern part of Nigeria since the first republic.
Hon. Abbas said: “As far as I know, since the Senate of the First Republic to this day, there has never been a Northerner who, as a first-timer possessing no experience and antecedents, performed exceptionally well in the Federal Parliament as Distinguished Senator Uba Sani. Apart from the capital projects he attracted to his 7-LGA Constituency, Distinguished Senator Uba Sani is reputed to have tabled numerous bills, many of which President Buhari signed into law, to the benefit of not only Northern Nigeria, but the entire country. Considering his towering accomplishments, I make bold to congratulate us in Kaduna State for having Senator Uba Sani as our governorship candidate for the 2023 elections”.
As it is, if all the candidates in Kaduna are the best their political parties could present, then, Uba Sani is the best of the best. And, it is an act of patriotism and progressive activism to empower the best of the best to lead and point the direction for the delivery of the good dividends of transformative leadership. This is what the Kaduna electorate ought to be asking for in the campaigns. Focusing on the ‘sins of El-Rufai’ as points to detract from the positive appeal of Uba Sani is negative politics which promotes a rule by the incompetent. The focus should be on Sani Uba’s quality, capacities and contract with Kaduna. It should be about issues and not inanities.