There is an emerging order built on inclusion and partnership, contends
Politics is ultimately a game of relationships, trust, and the ability to inspire loyalty beyond personal ambition. Elections may be won through structures and strategies, but enduring political relevance is sustained by alliances, goodwill, and the confidence of followers. It is against this backdrop that the unfolding political drama in Kaduna State can best be understood. What is playing out is not merely a contest between two politicians. It is the story of Governor Uba Sani’s growing ascendancy and the steady unraveling of the once formidable political empire of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
For years, El-Rufai was one of the most influential political figures in Northern Nigeria. Brilliant, outspoken, and fiercely independent, he built a reputation as a reformer and political strategist. Yet, politics has a cruel way of exposing the difference between power and influence. While power can be acquired through office, influence is earned through relationships. Today, the greatest challenge confronting the immediate past governor is not opposition from political rivals but estrangement from many of those who once stood firmly by his side.
