El-Rufai’s successor, Ubani Sani speaks on opposing his Ministerial replacement

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Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has rejected a social media report that he opposed his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, or his preferred replacement for a cabinet position.

El-Rufai is one of President Bola Tinubu’s 48 cabinet nominations, however he has yet to be certified by the Senate due to unresolved security findings against him.

Following the withdrawal of his candidature, El-Rufai reportedly met with President Bola Tinubu within a week, telling him he no longer wanted to be a minister and recommending that his former commissioner, Jafaru Sani, take his place.

However, Governor Sani has denied a trending social media story that he met with President Tinubu where he rejected Jafaru on the ground that he is a loyalist of el-Rufai.

Describing the story as false, malicious, and misleading, Governor 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 rejected 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 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.”