The animosity between Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Senator Shehu Sani has taken a new turn after the governor challenged the lawmaker to a popularity contest.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Monday dared Shehu Sani, the senator representing Kaduna Central, to a popularity contest at the state’s Central Market.
The challenge was made while he addressed newsmen in Abuja.
El-Rufai said: “Shehu Sani cannot even campaign in the market. I challenge him, let us go to Kaduna Central Market and let’s see who will come out unscathed.”
Recall that El-Rufai and Sani have been at loggerheads with each other since 2016, apparently over political and ideological differences.
Recently, Mr El-Rufai’s had attempted to block Mr Sani from returning to the Senate but the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC affirmed Mr Sani’s candidature.
The party’s spokesman, Yekini Nabena, reiterated that, “as far as Kaduna Central Zone 2 is concerned, the only candidate is Sen. Shehu Sani.
“Yes election took place in that zone because of the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly but for the senatorial position the only candidate is Sen. Shehu Sani.
“The governor cannot dictate to the party.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the APC headquarters had announced Shehu Sani as it’s only candidate cleared to contest the Kaduna Central senatorial seat in 2019 elections.