African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru Kudan, has said his political differences with former governor Nasir El-Rufai have not affected their personal relationship, describing the former governor as his brother.

Ashiru made the remarks in an interview with DCL Hausa, monitored by Northern Nigeria Hub, while discussing his political relationship with El-Rufai, the former governor’s detention and preparations for the 2027 governorship election.

The two politicians were on opposing sides during the 2023 election, when Ashiru contested for governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose candidate, Uba Sani, eventually won. El-Rufai, who was governor at the time, backed Sani as his successor.

Ashiru, however, disputed the claim that he suffered a heavy defeat, insisting that he won the election and expressing suspicion that the outcome was affected by irregularities. He said he had left the matter to God.

On El-Rufai’s continued detention amid allegations of political interference, Ashiru said anyone accused of an offence should be allowed to face trial and have their legal status determined. He maintained that his position was not that the former governor had no case to answer, but that the legal process should establish his position rather than subject him to repeated court proceedings.

“Politics is not madness,” Ashiru said, explaining that political disagreements had separated him and El-Rufai in the past, but circumstances had now brought them together again under the ADC.

The former PDP candidate also criticised the Kaduna State House of Assembly, accusing lawmakers of failing to exercise independent oversight over the state government. He alleged that the legislature had become too closely aligned with Governor Sani and challenged journalists to investigate how frequently lawmakers held plenary sessions.

Looking ahead to 2027, Ashiru declined to disclose how he intends to challenge Sani, particularly with prominent politicians, including former governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and Senator Shehu Sani, now in the APC alongside the incumbent governor.

He said his camp had already developed its plans but would reveal details only when circumstances demanded, arguing that political strategy should not be made public before implementation.