Senator Shehu Sani has downplayed ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he was a political liability.

El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State on Monday left the APC, a party he was a founding member, and pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a move pundits believe will change the political texture of the country.

But Sani, who is also from Kaduna like El-Rufai, believes the former Minister of the FCT holds no political relevance.

“Well, first of all, for those of us from Kaduna State, it [his defection] is a good riddance because he stands as a liability to the party in the state,” the former Kaduna Central senator said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, citing the APC’s losses under El-Rufai.

“I can back this with facts.

In 2015, APC had two senators. By 2023, all the senatorial zones were taken over by PDP.

Out of the 14 House of Representatives seats in Kaduna State, by the time he left [office as governor], almost nine of the seats were won by PDP, two by the Labour Party, and then three by APC.

With him as a governor, the APC also lost the presidential election in Kaduna State.”

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, have nabbed 31 suspected illegal miners in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.

The arrest was conducted following credible intelligence linking the suspects to illegal mining activities in the state, according to EFCC.

The anti-graft agency stated that the operation was carried out at the premises of Jiasheng Nigeria Limited, located at Dura Rayfield, Mangu Road, Jos.

The EFCC disclosed that the arrested individuals comprised four Chinese nationals and 27 Nigerians, some of whom were suppliers found in possession of unprocessed solid minerals suspected to have been illegally mined.

The Chinese nationals apprehended were identified as; Liang Qinyong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong.

The Nigerian suspects include Akilu Akonimi, Umar Mohammed, Aaron Davo, Auwal Abdullahi, Haruna Umar, Prosper Goddey, Alex Long, Mathew Onmaza, Oupe Anzaku, Samson Luka, John Nwang, and Saidu Mohammed.

Others arrested are; Mohammed Musa, Abubakar Ibrahim, Mohammed Zaradeen, Yakubu Adidzi, Isah Dahiru, Yusuf Musa, Benjamin D. Dalop, Ibrahim Wakili, Adam Muhammed, Abubakar Ahmed Muazu, Murtala Abubakar, Peter Yakubu, Ibrahim Musa, Monday Christopher, and Billard Musa.

During the operation, EFCC said that its operatives recovered several items, including a truck loaded with eight bags of processed monazite, each weighing 1000kg and valued at approximately N4 million per bag.

The EFCC stated that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the probe was concluded.

The commission reiterated its commitment to tackling illegal mining and other economic crimes in Nigeria, emphasising the need for strict adherence to the country’s mining laws.

The arrest underscores the federal government’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining, which has been a significant challenge in Nigeria, particularly in mineral-rich states like Plateau.

Authorities have consistently warned against unauthorized mining activities, highlighting their detrimental effects on the nation’s economy and environment.

The EFCC urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities related to illegal mining and financial crimes, assuring them of prompt action to uphold the rule of law and protect the country’s natural resources.

The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the Eleme section of the East-West Road to expedite drainage work to meet the April deadline for completion.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the directive during an inspection of the ongoing 15km road upgrade from Eleme Junction to Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

While commending Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited for the quality of work done, Umahi insisted that the drainage must be prioritised to ensure timely completion.

“RCC has done very well. The work completed in the past two months is more than what was done since the project started. However, the project slowed down significantly when the site manager went on leave. I’m happy to see him back and satisfied with the quality of work RCC is delivering,” Umahi stated.

He emphasised the need to test existing road shoulders before excavation, warning against unnecessary digging for financial gains.

“The existing shoulder has to be tested throughout. I don’t want them digging up areas filled with sharp sand and stone base just to increase costs. If they don’t test it and request approval for any section they dig, they won’t get paid,” he warned.

Umahi also observed that drainage construction had either stopped or slowed significantly, urging the contractor to redesign and precast drainage systems for quicker installation, even during the rainy season.

“I’m happy with the project’s progress, and I believe they will complete the carriageway by the end of April. However, if drainage work is not completed, the project remains unfinished. They must accelerate drainage work to ensure we clear this carriageway by April,” he stated.

The minister further directed that any section of the road that has remained untouched for 21 days after concrete casting should be opened to commuters to ease traffic congestion.

“Anywhere that has stayed 21 days since concrete was cast should be opened to road users, starting today. This concrete technology will ensure the road lasts between 50 and 100 years without maintenance or reconstruction. It is a signature project of President Bola Tinubu,” he added.

Umahi also inspected the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway, Section IV (Aba–Port Harcourt), which is being handled by the Chinese Construction Engineering Company.