Can Former Allies El-Rufai and Sani Bury the Hatchet?
With Kaduna’s 2027 political battle lines beginning to emerge, the bitter fallout between former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his successor, Uba Sani, raises a compelling question: can two men once
As Kaduna's political landscape for 2027 begins to take shape, questions arise about the possibility of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his successor, Uba Sani, putting aside their differences. The personal and political fallout between the two men has raised the concern whether they can reconcile or if their rift is irreparable.
El-Rufai's departure from the APC and his ongoing legal battles add complexity to the potential reconciliation process. The relationship between El-Rufai and Sani, which once appeared seamless, has been marred by disagreements over governance, loyalty, and the management of the previous administration's legacy. The strain came to a head in August 2025 when El-Rufai declared publicly that Sani was never his friend.
This blunt statement peeled back the veneer of political solidarity and revealed the underlying animosity. Despite a brief moment of political brotherhood in March 2026, when Sani paid tribute to El-Rufai's mother at her funeral, the issue of whether true reconciliation is possible remains uncertain. While some of El-Rufai's former associates have begun aligning themselves with Sani ahead of the 2027 elections, the underlying tensions suggest that the path to a lasting peace is still fraught with obstacles.
Until open dialogue and sincere efforts to bridge the divide replace mere formalities, the relationship between El-Rufai and Sani remains in a precarious state. The outcome of this political chess match in Kaduna will determine if their split will end up as a cautionary tale of a broken alliance or a hopeful sign of a reformed partnership.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
