By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Ja’afar Ibrahim Sani, a former commissioner under the administration of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been arrested by security operatives in Kaduna State.
The arrest, which occurred in the wake of his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has raised eyebrows.
Sani, who served as Commissioner for Local Government, Education, and Environment, was reportedly detained on the orders of the state government.
While the full details of the arrest remain unclear, sources indicate that police officials were involved in the operation.
Notably, Sani was the individual nominated by El-Rufai to replace him as a Minister in 2023, but his nomination was blocked by the Senate following security reports from the State Security Service.
His political journey has been marred by controversies, including opposition from the current Governor of Kaduna, Uba Sani, who disagreed with El-Rufai’s choice for the position.
In a letter dated March 10, 2025, Sani announced his departure from the APC, citing his disillusionment with the party’s leadership, which he accused of drifting away from its founding progressive ideals.