The feuding camps of Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Shehu Sani, and Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai fought dirty on Saturday over the invasion of the residence of the Senator’s late mother at Tudun Wada, Kaduna. Shehu Sani accused the el-Rufai administration of sponsoring the thugs that launched the attack.

Mr Sani who spoke through Suleiman Ahmed, Senior Special Adviser, Political and Ideology at a press conference on Saturday in Kaduna, alleged that a lot of money from the government was shared from the Government House through Mr Uba Sani and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths, Awwal Yaro Maikyau.

He said: “Uba Sani and Yaro Maikyau have also been sharing money through some boys around Tudun Wada to give to thugs to cause crisis at the family house of the Senator at number five Alkalawa Road, Tudun Wada.

“It happened on Thursday night. The thugs were carrying dangerous arms and ammunition including petrol to be used for setting ablaze Senator Shehu Sani’s family house at Tudun Wada.

“So, our own concern is that from all indication, they were trying to burn the house of the senator where his late mother leaved with other family members before her death.

“We attach this attempt with our criticism of the government of the state under Nasiru el-Rufai, Uba Sani and the Adviser on Youths.

“Even though, we appreciate the prompt response of the police, but we urge the Commissioner of Police to investigate this matter and bring the culprits to book,” he said.

Mr Sani added that the situation has degenerated to a stage of “government fueling more crisis in ward six of Tudun Wada.”

Mr Yaro Maikyau, when contacted by our reporter, denied involvement in the alleged attack, saying: “This is an issue of party that suspended him. The people of the area carried out a peaceful protest against Shehu Sani and in support of the EXCO that suspended him. That is all that I know.”

El_Rufai’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Mr Uba Sani, broke his silence on the political dilemma of Mr Shehu Sani’s suspension by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

In a terse statement issued in Kaduna, Uba Sani warned Shehu Sani to stop his political tantrums and grow up, or at least try to match the dignity, refinement and decorum expected of a Senator.

Mr Uba Sani said that Mr Shehu Sani has reached the career limit that chicanery and thuggery can facilitate.

He advised the embattled Senator, who is reeling from the extension of his suspension from the APC, to desist from blaming his woes on the state government.

According to Uba Sani, “It has become imperative to set the record straight. Everyone knows that it is Shehu Sani that has spent 18 months attacking the Governor personally and opposing every government policy. The government has ignored his tantrums, while the party has acted to uphold discipline. Shehu Sani should keep the government out of his woes.

“We are beneficiaries of democracy and we champion an open society. We respect democratic values and will never resort to unconstitutional means of settling differences. He should be careful not to make wild and unsubstantiated claims.”

•Photo shows Shehu Sani and El-Rufai when the going was good.

Update news