Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani has faced sharp criticism from a woman from an African country after he posted advice on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The woman's response, which went viral, dismissed Sani's suggestions and pointed to Nigeria's internal challenges.
Senator Sani's Advice to AES Leaders
Shehu Sani, a Nigerian Senator, shared photos on X of the leaders of the three AES member countries: General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of Niger's military government; Assimi Goïta, transitional President and military leader of Mali; and Ibrahim Traoré, transitional leader of Burkina Faso. The AES, or Alliance des États du Sahel, is a mutual defense pact and political confederation formed by these three nations.
In his caption, Sani wrote: "The way forward is for them to organise elections, transit to civil rule and work closely with Ecowas if they don’t want to re-join. Otherwise, they will have to continue to watch their backs against their military colleagues. Depending on Russia for protection is not sustainable."
Woman's Viral Response
A woman from one of the AES countries replied directly to Sani, writing: "The day we need an advice from a country run by a drug kingpin, incapable of getting rid of Boko Haram for decades, who calls on the Americans to bomb its own people and on France to destabilize its neighbors, we'll let you know."
The woman's tweet quickly went viral, drawing widespread support from many Nigerians who echoed her sentiments and pushed back against Sani's remarks. The exchange highlights growing tensions between Nigerian politicians and citizens of AES countries over regional leadership and security issues.
Impact and Reactions
The viral nature of the woman's reply underscores the sensitivity of regional politics and the perceived double standards in advice from Nigerian officials. Many Nigerians took to her post to agree with her, signaling a divide in public opinion on Sani's stance. The incident reflects broader debates about the AES's break from ECOWAS and the role of external powers like Russia in the Sahel.
As of the report by Linda Ikeji on 01/09/2026, the woman's tweet continues to generate discussion, with no further comment from Senator Sani. The exchange illustrates the challenges in regional diplomacy and the strong feelings evoked by cross-border political commentary.
