Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, has strongly responded to criticisms levelled against President Bola Tinubu’s administration by former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
The two had recently attributed the rising hunger and poverty in Nigeria to Tinubu’s policies.
Speaking to journalists in Kaduna, Sani accused El-Rufai and Amaechi of hypocrisy, arguing that they have no moral authority to condemn the current administration given their own records while in power.
He described both men as “architects of banditry and hunger” who are now politically motivated in their attacks.
“Both El-Rufai and Amaechi have no moral ground to criticise the current administration,” Sani said.
“They failed to address the same challenges when they were in power. They should bow their heads in shame.”
Sani further accused the duo of abandoning efforts to tackle insecurity and poverty during their tenure, yet now pretending to be concerned.
“They are the architects of the banditry, poverty, and hunger they now pretend to lament. During their tenure, they did nothing to solve these issues, and now they cry foul simply because they have been left out of the current government,” he added.
The criticism by El-Rufai came during a speech at Amaechi’s 60th birthday lecture in Abuja, where the former governor of Kaduna State said Nigeria is being governed by “urban bandits” — those holding power in cities rather than those hiding in forests.
He warned that the country is facing its worst crisis since 1914 and called on Nigerians to vote for leaders with competence and vision.
Reacting to this, Sani cautioned against criticisms motivated by personal disappointment. “There is nothing wrong with criticising a government,” he said, “but when such criticism stems from personal disappointment over missed appointments rather than genuine concern for the people, it becomes dangerous.”
Sani also accused former officials from the Muhammadu Buhari administration, including El-Rufai and Amaechi, of attempting to undermine Tinubu’s government after failing to secure positions in the new cabinet.
“These individuals controlled the affairs of the country for eight years,” he noted.
“They had the power, the resources, and the influence to transform the North into a socio-economic model for the rest of the country. Instead, they left it in a worse condition.”
Despite acknowledging ongoing security challenges in parts of Northern Nigeria, such as Katsina and Zamfara states, Sani insisted that conditions have improved compared to the previous administration.
“Today, people can travel the Birnin Gwari road, which was once a death trap due to incessant bandit attacks,” he said.
“The southern part of Kaduna, once abandoned, is now relatively peaceful thanks to the efforts of the current Chief of Defence.”
He urged President Tinubu to do more for Northern Nigeria but encouraged Nigerians to recognise any progress made so far.
“Nigeria must learn from its past,” Sani emphasised. “The country will only achieve greatness when development is evenly distributed and criticism is driven by patriotism rather than self-interest.”
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