“A national anthem, pledge, or constitution cannot unite a nations.” These were the words of Sen. Shehu Sani to President Bola Tinubu during the Democracy Day dinner held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking on the need to unite the country, the senator who represented Kaduna Central at the Senate mentioned that “a national anthem will not unite a nation, a national pledge will not unite a nation, and a constitution cannot unite a nation.”
Sani went on to say, “a nation is united by the ideals of freedom; a nation is united by equity and by justice.”
Speaking on the Democracy Day anniversary, Sani mentioned that “this democracy was not a gift given to us by the military. This democracy was not a lottery that we won. It is a product of struggle and sacrifice.”
He mentioned that for Nigeria to attain democratic status, “there were people who were forced into exile, like the president and commander in chief of the armed forces, and the likes of Wole Soyinka.”
He also mentioned that many were incarcerated by the military.
Sani also applauded the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria, ASUU, NUPENG, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, and the Nigerian media for the sacrifices made to return Nigeria to a democratic state.
Sani also mentioned that Tinubu, who was part of the struggle, has a duty to succeed as president.
Speaking on the economy of the country, Sani mentioned that the reforms made by the Tinubu-led administration have brought hardship and suffering to Nigerians.
“The reforms that you have taken—there is no doubt it—you too have recognised the untold hardship and suffering it has inflicted on millions of people.
“But we are expecting that at the end of the day, it will bear fruit, and people will rejoice and say that the sacrifices they have made and the consequences of those reforms were something that was worth all these struggles.”
He also took the opportunity to urge Tinubu to order the release of all #EndSARS protesters who are still held behind bars.
“There are some people who are still in detention as a result of the #EndSARS protest. They are young people who were protesting for justice, for freedom, and for democracy.
“Any young protester in Nigeria today learned from you because you’re the father of protest in Nigeria,” he said.
He urges the president to “do something about it” and “give them their freedom.”
