Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has dismissed the claim by President Donald Trump of the United States of America (USA) that there is genocide against Christians in Nigeria, describing it as “a political manipulation”, saying that three is no genocide in Nigeria.
Speaking on Frontline, an Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese, Ijebu, current affairs programme, monitored by New Telegraph, Sani said on Wednesday that, Trump’s statement is not about Nigeria. It is about Trump. He has a history of racism and authoritarian thinking. Human rights only matter to him when it suits American interests,” Sani said.
While urging caution in foreign relations, Sani praised Nigeria’s diplomatic restraint, explaining that,
“The US is a superpower that can do and undo. You don’t fight such powers with emotions. Relying on Russia or China as alternatives was unrealistic”, he said.
On the local government autonomy, and its grassroots impact, Sani criticized continued denial of funds to local governments despite the Supreme Court ruling granting them financial autonomy is worrisome. “What is the point of local government if money never reaches the grassroots?” he asked.
According to him, proper funding of councils would reduce pressure on major cities. “If local governments are properly funded, development will reach villages, and people won’t keep running to Abuja to survive,” he said.
Sani described the coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) stalwarts against the second term of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a mere group of angry people who are no longer in power.
He said, “What we are seeing is not a new opposition. It is a gathering of people who are angry they are no longer in power. Many leaders in the coalition had previously held key positions without meaningful impact.
“These are former governors, ministers and Senators. Nigerians are being asked to choose between those in power today and those who failed yesterday. There is nothing fundamentally new they are offering. Nigeria needs a credible opposition. But recycling the same political elites under new banners will not save this country.” he added.
Beaming light on the constant foreign travels of President Tinubu, vis a vis leadership presence, Sani said such scrutiny was not new, saying that “Every Nigerian president since 1999 has been accused of travelling too much. There is nothing wrong with a president travelling, as long as those trips bring investment, power solutions and diplomatic gains,” he said.
