Shehu Sani argued that protests without leaders could lead to chaos and anarchy, citing recent events in Kenya and Sudan
By Kehinde Okeowo
Human rights activist and former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has explained why he will not be a part of the August 1 nationwide protest.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Thursday, he noted the organisers of the demonstration are faceless.
The former senator went on to stress the importance of peaceful protest with visible leadership to avoid metamorphosing into violence that is capable of destabilising the country.
He, therefore, called for peaceful protests with clear leadership, citing his own experiences while participating in protests with visible leaders such as President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammad Buhari, and late Balarabe Musa, among others, during the military days and the 2012 anti-subsidy protest.
He further noted that Nigeria is a democratic nation where people can express opinions, criticise the government, and protest peacefully.
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He, however, added that protests without leaders could lead to chaos and anarchy, citing how recent demonstrations in Kenya and Sudan led to the breakdown of law and order.
Speaking on the planned protest, Shehu Sani said, “It is important that we bring back our conscience to the fact that Nigeria is a democracy. People have the right to express their opinions, criticise the government and protest peacefully.
“I have been a protester all my life and President Bola Tinubu has also been a protester, but we were peaceful protesters that demanded justice, freedom and people’s friendly policies.
“Now, the problem we are having now is that there are issues that we need to address. A protest needs two things: firstly, it’s a purpose. Of course, its purpose is to show that people are suffering in the country.
“But also, a protest needs a visible leader. When a protest has no leader, the tendency of that protest to metamorphose into violence is apparent.”
