Ministerial slot: I didn’t reject El-Rufai’s nominee — Gov Sani

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has denied media reports that he rejected a proposed nominee for a ministerial position by his predecessor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai.

In a statement, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, spokesman to the governor, clarified that the reports were inaccurate and aimed at creating unnecessary tension between Gov Uba and El-Rufai.

Recall that El-Rufai was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as minister but the Senate put his screening on hold on grounds that it was waiting for a security clearance from the Department of State Services (DSS).

But in a dramatic twist, El-Rufai turned down the offer and jetted out of the country after nominating someone else in his place.

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Governor Sani emphasised that the sole accurate aspect of the story was his meeting with the president. He stressed that at no point during the meeting did the issue of a replacement nominee come up for discussion.

He, therefore, called on media outlets, social media users and blogging platforms to refrain from spreading unverified and false information that could mislead readers and contribute to political tension in the country.

The governor also urged newsmen to recognise their role as the Fourth Estate of the Realm and maintain integrity by sharing verified and balanced stories that contributed positively to the nation’s progress.