"It Cannot Unite a Nation”, Shehu Sani Differs With Tinubu on National Anthem as Video Goes Viral
- Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna Central, has said changing the national anthem would not solve national challenges
- Legit.ng recalls that President Bola Tinubu recently assented to the bill passed by the national assembly to revert to the old national anthem as the nation celebrates 25 years of uninterrupted democracy
- Senator Sani called on President Tinubu to prioritise equity and justice — instead of changing the national anthem
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and public journalism in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - Shehu Sani, the lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central senatorial district in the national assembly, has asserted that a national anthem, pledge or constitution cannot unite a nation.
According to Sani, a country is united by the ideals of freedom, equity, and justice.
Source: Facebook
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain spoke in Abuja on Wednesday night, June 12, at a dinner organised to mark the 2024 Democracy Day.
He said:
"Mr President, I would like to draw your attention to this fact and this truth. The national anthem cannot unite a nation. A national pledge cannot unite a nation. A constitution cannot unite a nation. A nation is united by the ideals of freedom; a nation is united by equity and by justice."
He continued:
"Many younger generations of today have not and couldn't know the sacrifice we have made to restore democracy to this country.
"It is important that we bring to attention to those who were not here in those days of the struggle. This democracy was not a gift given to us by the military, it was not a lottery that we won. It was a product of struggle and sacrifice. There were people who were forced into exile like the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces (Tinubu) and the likes of Prof. Wole Soyinka. There were people who were sent to prison like us. There were many who were dead."
Watch Shehu Sani's speech below, courtesy of TVC News:
The former federal lawmaker noted that the democracy Nigeria is enjoying is "a product of struggle".
Furthermore, he urged President Tinubu to intervene in the matter of some EndSARS protesters who are still detained across Nigerian correctional facilities.
Nigerians perplexed by change of national anthem
Meanwhile, some Nigerians who spoke to Legit.ng feel the change stood out at a time when the country was experiencing arguably its worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
Ogunjimi Adetola said:
"I guess this is one of the challenges of having less than 500 people decide for over 200 million people. No matter how great the old national anthem and its content are, I do not feel our next move is to revert to it when there is absolutely nothing wrong with the current one.
"At a time we are projecting 'Buy Nigeria', 'Nigeria we hail thee' was composed by a Briton and the current by a Nigerian. This is a great example of 'majoring in minor'."
For Tosh Michaels, he said humorously:
"So for this my age, it is national anthem I just want to start to learn? 'Nigeria, we hail thee o'."
Gbemi Leke stated:
"Changing our national anthem at this moment when many pressing issues need to be attended to is like leaving leprosy to attend to ringworm."
More to read on Shehu Sani
- “Not just Tinubu”: Shehu Sani mentions presidents who tripped in the past
- June 12: From MKO Abiola to Shehu Sani, Tinubu releases list of Nigeria's heroes of democracy
- “There is so much hardship”: Shehu Sani speaks on Tinubu’s reforms and hunger In Nigeria
Sani comments on planned six-year presidential term
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Sani said a six-year single tenure as recently proposed by 35 legislators could encourage looting.
Sani posted a short message about the lawmakers' proposal via a tweet on his verified X handle on Tuesday, June 11.
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Source: Legit.ng
