Sani made the statement amid growing scrutiny of his relationship with the former governor.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV’s Daily Politics, the Kaduna governor reaffirmed his deep respect for El-Rufai, stressing that he would not publicise every action he had taken to show his regard for him.

According to Sani, respect for someone does not require making private gestures or acts of support public.

“As a matter of respect, many things I’ve done to show my respect for him, my regard for him, I don’t think I should come out and say it. Because when you respect someone, you don’t come out to say certain things,” he said.

Obi made the remark during an interview with a radio station in Nasarawa State on Wednesday.

According to the former Anambra State governor, the country’s financial position would have been considerably stronger if public office holders had protected government funds and allowed them to earn interest in financial institutions.

“I wish everybody in this country left money in the bank; they have interest. Nigeria would have been so rich that we don’t know what to do with money,” he said.

Obi disclosed that his administration kept public funds in three different banks, stressing the importance of safeguarding government resources.

He also criticised what he described as a culture of dishonesty in Nigeria, arguing that individuals who act with integrity are often targeted by those seeking to discredit them.

“Nigeria is a criminalised place. The criminals will always come together to show what the honest person did,” he stated.

The NDC presidential candidate further lamented what he described as a reversal of moral values, where honesty is treated as wrongdoing while criminal conduct appears to be tolerated.

“In Nigeria, to be honest is to be a criminal. To be criminal is to be honest,” Obi said.

He reiterated that Nigeria could have built greater financial reserves if successive leaders had consistently protected public funds and allowed them to generate returns instead of diverting them.

“We would have been worth so much that we don’t know what to do with money,” he added.

Obi also addressed questions about his administration’s approach to publicising government projects, explaining that he believed the results of governance should speak for themselves because the projects were funded with taxpayers’ money.

“We did what we were doing with public money, so the public already see us working, so why are we going to do the ceremony or showing it on TV? Maybe I was wrong, but that was what happened,” he said.

The former governor also defended his record in basic education, maintaining that Anambra State performed exceptionally well in the sector during his tenure.

“I was the best in education, basic education as a governor. You can go and check the records,” Obi said.