Former Senator representing Kaduna North, Suleiman Hunkuyi, has urged Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani not to release his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, from custody until after the 2027 governorship election.
Hunkuyi made the remark on Saturday in Zaria during a political gathering where Governor Sani received former officials of the El-Rufai administration and their political associates who reportedly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among those received were Bashir Saidu, El-Rufai’s former Chief of Staff, and Jafaru Sani, who served as commissioner for local government affairs, education and environment during the former governor’s administration.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; former Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero; and other prominent political figures.
Hunkuyi Links El-Rufai’s Detention to 2027 Election
Addressing the gathering, Hunkuyi made indirect references to the reported departure of some former associates of El-Rufai and their families from his political camp.
He questioned who remained loyal to the former governor following the reported defections, describing the situation in terms of an alleged political loss.
Hunkuyi subsequently turned to Governor Sani and urged him to keep El-Rufai in custody until after the next governorship election.
“Almighty God has restrained the devils and chained them up during the month of Ramadan. In which month did you capture my elder brother? Please keep him for us. Hold him firmly and do not release him. Keep him securely,” Hunkuyi said.
He further urged the governor not to release El-Rufai until he had secured his political objective.
“Do not release him. Wait until everything is completed. Until you receive your crown in your hands, then release him to us,” he added.
The reference to Sani receiving his “crown” was understood as an allusion to the governor’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027.
Political Alliance Emerges Around Uba Sani
Hunkuyi’s comments came as Governor Sani received former officials of the previous administration and political associates reportedly moving into the APC-led political camp in Kaduna State.
The gathering brought together several influential political figures, including Abbas and Yero, highlighting the significance of the political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
Hunkuyi prayed for the success of the alliance, expressing hope that the participating politicians would work together to achieve their shared objectives.
“May Almighty God make it possible, for us to work together for the good, so that this journey we have embarked on will come together and reach its destination successfully,” he said.
He also expressed optimism about the political benefits of the alliance, adding: “Almighty God, may we count our profits, deduct the principal, and set aside the profit.”
Why Nasir El-Rufai Is in Custody
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State for eight years, presented himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in February 2026 before being transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC subsequently investigated the former governor and filed multiple charges relating to his time in office.
The allegations include abuse of office, irregularities in the award of multibillion-naira light rail and closed-circuit television (CCTV) contracts, and the disposal of World Bank loan funds.
The allegations remain subject to judicial determination, and the former governor’s guilt has not been established merely by the filing of charges.
While in custody, El-Rufai and his legal team invoked their constitutional right to silence, maintaining that they would respond to the allegations before a judicial tribunal rather than during administrative interrogations.
Kaduna Politics Ahead of 2027
Hunkuyi’s remarks have placed the political implications of El-Rufai’s detention and the reported defections of his former associates in the spotlight as Kaduna State approaches the 2027 governorship election.
His appeal to Governor Sani tied the former governor’s continued detention to the incumbent’s political ambitions, although the comments do not establish that the detention is connected to the election or that the governor has acted for that reason.
With political alliances and party loyalties continuing to shape preparations for the next election, developments involving Sani, El-Rufai and their respective associates are likely to remain a major focus of Kaduna State politics.