Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has launched a scathing attack on ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, accusing them of hypocrisy and self-serving political motives over their recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking during a press briefing at his Kaduna residence, Sani said the two former ministers, who played central roles in the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, lack the moral authority to critique the current government, given their own performance in office.

“El-Rufai and Amaechi should bow their heads in shame,” Sani declared. “They are the architects of the banditry, poverty, and hunger they now pretend to lament. During their tenure, they did nothing to solve these issues, and now they cry foul simply because they have been left out of the current government.”

Sani’s remarks come in response to El-Rufai’s recent comments at a public lecture in honour of Amaechi, where the former Kaduna governor decried the state of governance in Nigeria, claiming “urban bandits” had taken control.

But Sani dismissed the comments as disingenuous and politically motivated, saying criticism rooted in bitterness over exclusion from government appointments does more harm than good.

“There’s nothing wrong with criticising a government,” he said. “But when such criticism stems from personal disappointment rather than genuine concern for the people, it becomes dangerous.”

The former senator accused key figures from the Buhari administration of working to undermine President Tinubu after failing to secure positions in his cabinet.

“These individuals controlled the affairs of the country for eight years,” Sani said. “They had the power, the resources, and the influence to transform the North into a socio-economic model for the rest of the country. Instead, they left it in a worse condition.”

He urged Nigerians to acknowledge the progress made under the Tinubu administration, particularly in improving security in previously volatile areas.

“Today, people can travel the Birnin Gwari road, which was once a death trap due to incessant bandit attacks,” Sani noted. “The southern part of Kaduna, once abandoned, is now relatively peaceful thanks to the efforts of the current Chief of Defence.”

While admitting that security challenges still persist, Sani insisted the situation has improved compared to the previous administration.

He concluded with a call for more constructive and patriotic discourse, stressing that genuine development will only come when criticism is based on national interest rather than personal ambition.

“Nigeria must learn from its past,” he said. “The country will only achieve greatness when development is evenly distributed, and criticism is driven by patriotism, not selfish motives.”