Former lawmaker and politician Shehu Sani has placed the blame for the violent outbreaks during the #Endbadgovernance protests in Northern Nigeria squarely on President Bola Tinubu. His comments come in light of reports of unrest in various northern states amid widespread demonstrations against hunger and economic hardship.
During the protests, some demonstrators were seen waving Russian flags, a gesture that experts have labeled treasonous. Sani’s response to the turmoil emphasizes the need for accountability, yet he clarifies that President Tinubu is neither solely to blame nor a definitive solution to the region’s woes.
Sani stated, “Northern leaders must draw important lessons from the recent violent uprisings in our region. While the President deserves scrutiny, we must recognize that the real issues are deeply rooted.”
He continued, urging a collective effort among governors, political figures, business leaders, religious authorities, traditional leaders, and intellectuals in the North to develop a comprehensive plan to address the long-standing challenges of poverty, illiteracy, underdevelopment, neglect, religious extremism, and terrorism that have plagued the area.
“While military force can suppress the visible signs of unrest, it cannot eliminate the underlying issues. We must face the reality of our situation rather than seeking scapegoats for our struggles. The resources we have, particularly in agriculture, should be the foundation of our wealth, not a reason to place blame elsewhere,” he emphasized.
Sani also expressed a belief that the police could recover many stolen items from the protests, jokingly adding that only the bags of rice might remain elusive.
He cautioned that potential investors, whether local or international, would now approach the Northern region with increased caution, needing to consider the threat of ransom and civil unrest. He remarked, “The wisdom shown by successful figures like Aliko Dangote is evident; he chose to build his empire near the sea, avoiding the challenges of the desert.”
On Tuesday, Sani condemned the violence accompanying the protests, suggesting it could be interpreted as an orchestrated attempt to destabilize the government. He alleged that prior to the protests, there were reports of money and foreign flags being distributed among the youth in the North.
“The day before the protests, financial incentives were handed out, alongside the sharing of Russian flags, indicating that the motives behind the protests extend beyond mere dissatisfaction with government policies,” he stated. “This situation appears to be part of a larger scheme aimed at sowing chaos and disorder, and it’s crucial for individuals like myself to voice our concerns.”
