Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims that he maintains a godfather–godson relationship with his successor, Governor Uba Sani, stating clearly that the incumbent governor is not his protégé.
El-Rufai made the clarification on Monday, the 9th of February, 2026,during an interview on Trust TV, where he said he has no personal or political interest in his successor’s affairs.
According to him, “Governor Uba Sani is not my godson. I don’t care about my successor.
“I’ve not called Uba Sani since I left office as governor. I have no relationship with him.
“I’m not interested in being a godfather. I have never believed in godfatherism. Never. I have been outspoken opponent of it.
“I didn’t go to Lagos and answer questions about godfatherism that led to attacks from the nation.
“The Tinubu’s wolves went after me because they thought I was talking about him. But I was talking about a principle. When you have power, exercise it for public good and when you are done, leave.”
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El-Rufai also reflected on his long-standing stance against godfatherism, insisting that his views were rooted in principle rather than personal attacks.
Recall that El-Rufai, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), later fell out with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following controversies surrounding ministerial appointments in 2023.
In early 2025, the former governor formally exited the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and subsequently aligned himself with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).