Former Senator Shehu Sani has reacted to claims that human rights violations under President Tinubu’s government are worse than during General Sani Abacha’s government. He said that such comparisons are unfair and not accurate.
In an interview with Channels Television from 12:58, Sani said he was deeply involved in the fight for democracy and paid a heavy price for it. He said that during General Abacha’s five-year rule, he (Sani) spent four and a half years in prison. He said he and other pro-democracy activists were taken before a military court, accused of treason, and sentenced to life in prison. He said that his sentence, along with that of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, was later reduced to 15 years.
Sani said he knows exactly what it meant to live under military rule and experience real oppression. He said that is why, based on his experience, he believes that those comparing Tinubu’s government to a military dictatorship are not being truthful.
In Sani’s words: “I don’t think there is anyone in the course of the struggle for democracy that has stayed so long in prison than myself. Abacha ruled Nigeria for 5 years and I spent the four and half years of his government in jail and it is not that it is just a detention, we were actually taken to military tribunal and charged for treason and sentenced to life imprisonment. My sentence and that of Dr Below was later reduced to 15 years”
