Former Senator Shehu Sani has launched a powerful critique against northern Nigeria's political leadership, accusing them of exploiting the region's security challenges for political gain ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Root Causes of Northern Insecurity Exposed
During a courtesy visit by the Open Heart Foundation and Women Empowerment Centre in Kaduna, the civil rights activist delivered a sweeping condemnation of what he termed political hypocrisy among Arewa leaders. Sani identified the Almajiri system, mass illiteracy, poverty, and underdevelopment as fundamental drivers of the insecurity plaguing the region.
He urged northern elites to confront these deep-seated issues directly without further excuses. "For 15 years, northern Nigeria has been a theatre of bloodshed," Sani recounted, detailing terrorist and bandit attacks across North-East and North-West zones.
Security Crisis Mirrors Regional Instability
The former lawmaker warned that Nigeria's security collapse reflects similar crises in neighboring countries including Chad, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. He noted that insurgent networks now operate across West Africa with increasing boldness, creating a regional security emergency.
Sani highlighted several high-profile school attacks that have shocked the nation over the past decade:
- Bethel Baptist High School
- Greenfield University
- Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation
- Jangebe and Yauri school kidnappings
He emphasized that many victims spent years in captivity while political leaders looked away from the growing crisis.
Political Accountability and External Dependence
Sani specifically criticized former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai's recent allegation that over N1 billion was paid to bandits by the current administration of Governor Uba Sani. While acknowledging that Kaduna remains unsafe, Sani credited the current administration with reducing religious tensions and improving security in previous flashpoints like Birnin Gwari.
The activist urged civil society organizations to maintain pressure on government authorities while warning them against becoming tools in political battles. He dismissed expectations that external powers would rescue Nigeria from its security challenges, stating bluntly: "The United States will not save us. Europe will not."
Sani's remarks come as political maneuvering intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections, with security expected to remain a central campaign issue across northern states.
