Former Kaduna lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, revealed that he lost his bid for re-election in 2019 due to his opposition to the former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s plan to secure a $340 million foreign loan.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, Sani, who represented the Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the Eighth Senate, explained that he remained firm in speaking out against the loan, which he believed would negatively affect the people of Kaduna.
He recalled, “I was determined to speak the truth to power, which led to my loss in the 2019 elections. El-Rufai wanted a $350 million loan, and we opposed it.
We told him that it would harm our people, but he proceeded with it, viewing us as political enemies. This political conflict with El-Rufai led to many others also leaving the party.”
Read Also: Why No Senator Openly Support Natasha – Shehu Sani
Despite losing his seat, Sani said he felt vindicated, noting that even the current governor of Kaduna had acknowledged the damaging impact of the loan on the state’s finances and economy.
He pointed out that many projects in the state were left incomplete, and Kaduna had become the second most indebted state in the country. “I’m vindicated, even though I lost my seat,” he added.
Sani expressed satisfaction with his stance on the controversial loan, stating, “At least when I die, no one will say I approved a loan that will burden us for the next 100 years.”
He emphasized that this vindication was more important to him than returning to the National Assembly.
He also reflected on the high turnover of lawmakers in Nigeria, attributing it to their lack of loyalty to their governors, which often leads to their defeat in elections.
While acknowledging that the frequent change of lawmakers in national and state assemblies was not ideal for Nigeria’s democracy, Sani noted that in countries like India and the United States, some lawmakers serve for decades.
He added, “If you’re a senator who consistently speaks out against the power structure, especially if it contradicts your governor’s interests, you’ll struggle to get re-elected.”
Sani further commented on the selection process for key legislative positions, saying that regardless of a lawmaker’s qualifications, their success in becoming Senate President or Speaker largely depends on their loyalty to the executive.
He cited the 2015 National Assembly leadership dispute, where Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, as adversaries of President Buhari, took charge, leading to a tumultuous four years.
He concluded, “As a governor, your survival depends on the state assembly. You can’t let your enemy take control, so you’ll choose someone loyal above all else—loyalty, not competence, is the primary qualification.”
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
