Former senator representing Kaduna North, Alhaji Suleiman Hunkuyi, has urged Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to keep his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, in custody until after the 2027 governorship election.

 

Hunkuyi made the remark on Saturday in Zaria while Sani received former officials of the El-Rufai administration and their political associates who reportedly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Among those received were El-Rufai’s former Chief of Staff, Alhaji Bashir Saidu, and Jafaru Sani, a former commissioner who served in the ministries of local government affairs, education and environment.

 

The event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; former Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero; and other prominent political figures.

 

Hunkuyi, who represents the North-West in the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), made the comment while addressing the gathering, linking El-Rufai’s continued detention to Sani’s ambition to secure a second term in office in 2027.

 

Hunkuyi Makes Controversial Remark About El-Rufai

During his address, the former senator made an indirect reference to the reported defection of El-Rufai’s former associates and their families from his political camp.

 

“All I want to say is just two things, perhaps a little more, because I have been given two minutes,” Hunkuyi said.

 

Turning to Saidu, he questioned who remained in El-Rufai’s camp following the departure of some of his former associates.

 

“They have taken away the children and the grandchildren. Let us ask, who did they leave behind—the short person who went with him? Please, for God’s sake… Who was he left with? We need to hear about this robbery,” he said.

 

Hunkuyi subsequently addressed Governor Sani, using religious imagery before urging him not to release El-Rufai until after the next governorship election.

 

“Almighty God has restrained the devils and chained them up during the month of Ramadan. In which month did you capture my elder brother? Please keep him for us. Hold him firmly and do not release him. Keep him securely,” he said.

 

“Do not release him. Wait until everything is completed. Until you receive your crown in your hands, then release him to us,” the former senator added.

 

His reference to Sani receiving his “crown” was understood as an allusion to the governor’s anticipated bid for re-election in 2027.

 

Hunkuyi concluded by praying for the success of the political alliance, urging the newly aligned politicians to work together towards their common goals.

 

“May Almighty God make it possible, for us to work together for the good, so that this journey we have embarked on will come together and reach its destination successfully,” he said.

 

He also expressed optimism that the alliance would yield political benefits, adding, “Almighty God, may we count our profits, deduct the principal, and set aside the profit.”

 

El-Rufai Faces Corruption Allegations

El-Rufai governed Kaduna State for eight years before handing over to Sani in May 2023.

 

Related Stories

The former governor presented himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in February 2026 before being transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

 

The ICPC subsequently investigated him and filed multiple charges relating to his tenure as governor.

 

The allegations include abuse of office, alleged irregularities in the award of multibillion-naira light rail and closed-circuit television (CCTV) contracts, and the handling of World Bank loan funds.

 

The allegations remain subject to judicial determination, and El-Rufai is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty by a competent court.

 

While in custody, El-Rufai and his legal team invoked his constitutional right to remain silent, maintaining that he would respond to the allegations before a judicial tribunal rather than during administrative interrogations.

 

Hunkuyi’s remarks come amid political realignments in Kaduna State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the reported movement of former El-Rufai allies into Sani’s political camp potentially reshaping the state’s political landscape.

 

### SEO details

 

SEO Title: Hunkuyi Tells Uba Sani Not to Release El-Rufai Until 2027 Election

 

Focus Keyphrase: Suleiman Hunkuyi, Uba Sani, Nasir El-Rufai

 

Slug: `hunkuyi-uba-sani-el-rufai-2027-election`

 

Meta Description: Former senator Suleiman Hunkuyi urges Kaduna Governor Uba Sani to keep Nasir El-Rufai in custody until after the 2027 governorship election.

 

Excerpt: Former Kaduna North senator Suleiman Hunkuyi has stirred controversy after urging Governor Uba Sani not to release ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai until he secures his second term in 2027.

 

Tags: Suleiman Hunkuyi, Uba Sani, Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna State politics, 2027 governorship election, APC, Kaduna political crisis, ICPC, EFCC, Nigerian politics

 

Suggested headline alternatives:

 

* ‘Keep El-Rufai in Custody Until 2027 Election’ — Hunkuyi Tells Uba Sani

 

* 2027: Hunkuyi Urges Uba Sani Not to Release El-Rufai Until Re-Election

 

* Hunkuyi Stirs Controversy, Tells Uba Sani to Hold El-Rufai Until 2027 Victory

 

* ‘Release Him After You Get Your Crown’ — Hunkuyi Tells Uba Sani on El-Rufai

 

My recommendation: Your original headline is strong and attention-grabbing. The phrase “Don’t Release El-Rufai Until You Win Your 2027 Second Term” captures the most striking part of Hunkuyi’s remarks. However, adding “Hunkuyi Tells Uba Sani” makes the attribution clearer and strengthens the headline for search visibility.