Democracy Is Under Serious Threat As Tyranny Is Taking Over Nigeria – Senator Sani
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial in the 8th National Assembly, has declared that democracy in Nigeria is under serious threat, pointing out that symptoms of tyranny are clearly manifesting so glaringly.
Sani, who expressed the fears while speaking at the white dinner party of the 2019 House of Justice Summit in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria, said that lovers of democracy should not sit back and watch the hard earned democratic system rubbished.
Speaking on the theme; “Governance, Impunity and Accountability in an era of Populism”, Senator Shehu Sani noted with serious concern that court orders not being obeyed.
According to him; “We will have democracy crumble and tyranny thrive as long as we agree to surrender our rights and liberties and agree to everything they say.”
He commended the organizers of the summit and dinner, House of Justice for braving up in spite of huge financial costs involved.
He said; “It is not easy to see credible organizations providing such a platform but you have been able to weather the storm and invited us here.
“We must accept the fact that globally today, there is an attempt to peddle think that as long as you have a government that provides infrastructure you should be ready to surrender your right.
“They believe it is wrong to question powers which is wrong. This democracy was not a gift, it was a struggle. Many went to jail, many killed, it was a product of struggle.
“As such, those in power should protect the ideas that it was a struggle of people who created the opportunity for them to be there. Every time this happens, it is incumbent on the people to rise to defend.”
On the raging social media and hate speech bills being mulled by the Senate, Sani described it as a bad idea, saying; “I asked my colleagues while at the Senate that why they cannot have social media account, they said their hearts cannot take the fire that some of us take from critics.
“A simple criticism can be taken as hate speech. Even right now, we have journalists that are standing trial by executives, now that that bill does not exist. What of if it does?” he queried.
