Former lawmaker Senator Sani has responded to criticisms from the opposition, particularly former governor Nasser Elrifi, who claimed that Nigeria is controlled by bandits.

Former lawmaker Senator Sani has responded to criticisms from the opposition, particularly former governor Nasser Elrifi, who claimed that Nigeria is controlled by bandits. 

Former lawmaker Senator Sani has responded to criticisms from the opposition, particularly former governor Nasser Elrifi, who claimed that Nigeria is controlled by bandits. Senator Sani argues that the opposition's resistance is rooted in their exclusion from the current administration, asserting that they would endorse the same policies they now criticize if they were included.

Senator Sani, known for his outspoken nature, strongly rejected the opposition coalition's claims, especially those made by Nasser Elrifi, who recently described Nigeria as being run by bandits. While speaking to alleged victims of demolitions carried out during Elrifi's tenure as governor of Kaduna state, Senator Sani questioned Elrifi's credibility. He labeled Elrifi as a "patriarch of banditry" in northwestern Nigeria, emphasizing that the former governor’s actions contributed to the rise of banditry in the region.

He stated, "This is a man who imposed some of the most cruel and inhumane taxes on poor people in the state. Now, he is talking about insecurity. This is the same person who demolished markets and homes of poor citizens without providing adequate compensation. How can he talk about poverty?"

Senator Sani continued to criticize Elrifi, saying, "He marginalized a section of the state for eight years, treating people in a manner akin to the treatment of Black South Africans during apartheid. We must recognize that, especially at this time, the messenger is just as important as the message."

Moreover, he pointed out that Elrifi dismissed thousands of civil servants without settling their entitlements and ignored a court order that directed him to do so.

Senator Sani contended that the opposition's resistance is driven by their exclusion from the current administration. He insisted that if they had been accommodated by the system, they would be championing the very policies they now denounce. “If they had been part of the government, they would have advocated for the anti-people policies they are criticizing now.”

He urged the people of Northern Nigeria to resist what he describes as divisive tactics from those who failed to address the region's socio-economic challenges when they had the chance.