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Kaduna gov, Uba Sani remains my mentor, says El-Rufai’s son
By Francesca Hangeior.
The member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Bello El-Rufai, has stated that incumbent Governor Uba Sani is his mentor, adding that they still keep in touch.
Bello revealed this in a video interview hosted by Yaya Abba, titled, ‘With Shuraim’’.
He recalled how two of his friends influenced his move to work under Sani while he was a serving Senator in the 9th Senate.
Bello noted that Sani’s first reaction was that he (Bello) would turn down the offer, citing the notion that people have regarding the children of “big men.”
“I think working with Senator Uba Sani taught me the politics that fits this country,” adding that he had a great influence on his knowledge of the politics of legislative representation.
“He’s still my mentor, we talk every day. After he (Sani) emerged as the APC candidate to replace my father, he told my father he wanted me to run for the Reps,” he said.
He noted that his membership in the Green Chamber wasn’t his father’s call, adding that he (the father) “never campaigned for me.
“But Senator Uba Sani was adamant that I had learnt a few things while working in the 9th Senate as a senior legislative aide. That was the step towards me running,” he added.
Bello stressed that he’s aware of his responsibilities as the representative of his constituent, saying, “For me, where I’m from, I feel I’m genuinely responsible for every individual that’s in Kaduna North.”
The lawmaker stated that while he still feels the pressure of legislative representation, he remains grateful for the achievements of his office so far, including initiatives towards improving the education and health of his constituents, among others.
Bello equally noted that his online presence had made people misjudge his person, saying he was seen as a “poster boy of arrogance.”
The lawmaker stated that people needed to understand the thin line between criticism and hatred.
“My first baptism of public service was when my sister died in 2011 in London. Somebody sent me a comment when someone said ‘he hopes she burns in hell twice,” adding that his leadership role has availed him of control on his social media comments.
Sani had revealed that his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, left a debt of $587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion in contract liabilities.
Meanwhile, the governor, through his spokesman, Mohammed Shehu, has said that Sani would not reply to another of El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir, who took to X to attack the governor over the state’s debt profile.
Bashir, on his social media handle, accused Sani of shying away from his responsibility by always staying away from the state and hibernating in Abuja.
The young El-Rufai accused the governor of surrounding himself with a retinue of incompetent aides appointed for political patronage.
News
Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo
The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.
The court held that he has no case to answer.
Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.
The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).
Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.
Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.
The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.
According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.
Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.
They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.
However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.
Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family residence in Kogi was reportedy invaded by gunmen around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, leaving damaged windows but no injuries.
The incident happened at her hometown residence in Obeiba-Ihima, located in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Sources familiar with the event said the attackers arrived around 1:00 a.m. Armed with cutlasses and guns, they damaged parts of the building, smashing windows and causing panic in the area. At least three men were involved in the attack.
Senator Natasha’s Chief Security Officer, Yakubu Ovanja, quickly informed the appropriate security agencies.
In response, officers from the Okehi Police Division rushed to the scene.
Although nobody was hurt and no suspects have been arrested yet, security officials recorded the extent of the damage and launched a preliminary investigation.
The reason behind the attack is still unknown, and as of now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not released any official statement. She represents Kogi Central in the Senate and is known as a vocal figure in Nigerian politics.
According to Zagazola Makama, police are still trying to figure out what motivated the attackers and are working to find those responsible.
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