Shehu Sani Breaks Silence On Taking Part In Nationwide Protest Against Tinubu’s Govt

Political analyst and former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has stated that he will not participate in the planned August 1 protest, citing the organizers’ lack of clear leadership.

Speaking with reporters in Kaduna on Thursday, Sani emphasized the importance of peaceful protests led by visible leaders to prevent potential violence and destabilization.

Sani highlighted his own experiences in protests with recognized leaders such as President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the late Balarabe Musa during the military era and the 2012 anti-subsidy protests. He called for peaceful protests with clear leadership, noting that Nigeria’s democratic framework allows for the expression of opinions, government criticism, and peaceful demonstrations.

Sani warned that leaderless protests could descend into chaos and anarchy, referencing the breakdown of law and order in Kenya and Sudan as examples. He praised the Kaduna state government’s stance on supporting protests only if they have identifiable leaders who can take responsibility for maintaining order.

“It is important to remember that Nigeria is a democracy where people have the right to express their opinions, criticize the government, and protest peacefully,” Sani said. “I have been a protester all my life, and President Bola Tinubu has also been a protester. We were peaceful protesters demanding justice, freedom, and people-friendly policies.

“The problem now is that protests need a clear purpose and visible leadership. Without a leader, the likelihood of a protest turning violent is high,” he concluded.