by Samuel Ogundipe
Kaduna State senator, Shehu Sani, on Saturday said the attack on his campaign office in Kaduna was carried out by men working for Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
The office was invaded by armed men on Saturday morning.
Witnesses said police arrived quickly and stopped the attackers from torching the building.
The senator said the attack took place as his social media aides held a meeting.
No casualties were immediately reported.
Mr. Sani blamed the attack on Mr. el-Rufai in a statement on Saturday afternoon.
“Some few minutes ago I received a report that some heavily armed thugs raided and attacked my constituency office located at Stadium Roundabout by Constitution Road, Kaduna.
“They unleashed terror on my social media team whom where meeting in the office. They vandalized the office in their violent act.
“We have the lead and the information that Thugs were fully recruited and paid by political appointees of Governor Nasiru el-Rufai,” Mr. Sani said in a post on his Facebook page.
The two leaders have had a prolonged political battle. A faction of the ruling All Progressives Congress loyal to the governor announced Mr. Sani’s indefinite suspension last week.
The governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, could not be reached for comments Saturday afternoon. Calls to his phone did not go through.
Mr. Sani, a former civil society leader, said he had forwarded the names of those he believed were responsible for the attack to the State Security Service and the police.
“We have the names of the political appointees and we have the names of those they are funding. Right now their details are given to the SSS and the police for investigation.”
Mr. Sani said a similar attack was attempted on his family home in downtown Kaduna only a few days ago.
“Two days ago attempt to burn down my family house in Alkalawa Road, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, by sponsored thugs was thwarted by vigilant residents and neighbors, which led to the brief deployment of policemen in the area,” the senator said.
Mr. Sani said the governor sponsored the attack against him to silence him.
“I wish to state it categorically clear that I hold Governor Nasiru Elrufai personally responsible for whatever happens to me or any of my family members or supporters.
“After the use of financial inducement on APC executive committee in the state to silence Shehu Sani in the name of suspension, which never worked,they have now taken the road of violence.
“We are men of ideas, of ideals and of peace. Those who take to the road of violence have no place in a democratic society.”
