A former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has called on President Bola Tinubu to release the remaining #EndSARS protesters who are still detained as a result of the 2020 nationwide protests.
Sani told Tinubu that he (Tinubu) was instrumental in nurturing a generation of activists and freedom fighters, saying, “Give them the freedom.
“Give them the freedom. You taught us. You funded us to stand up and fight, so they are your children and your grandchildren. Give them the freedom they deserve,”
The End SARS protests, which began in October 2020, were a series of mass demonstrations against police brutality, particularly by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The protests gained international attention and led to the disbandment of SARS, but many activists and protesters were arrested and remain in detention.
Sani, however, called for the release of the remaining #EndSARS protesters who are still in prison while delivering a speech during Democracy Day on Wednesday in Abuja.
He stated that Nigeria’s democracy was not a gift from the military or a lottery won, but rather the result of struggle and sacrifice, and that Tinubu has a responsibility to succeed, noting that if he (Tinubu) fails, the public will conclude that those who fought for democracy have nothing new to offer.
“It is important that we bring to attention to those who are not here in those days of the struggle. This democracy was not a gift given to us by the military. It was not a lottery that we won. It was a product of struggle and sacrifice. There were people who have forced into exile, like the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces….There were people who were sent to prison like us. We were supposed to spend the first 15 years of our lives in prison but by the magnanimity of God, we were out….This democracy was a product of struggle,” Sani stated.
“This democracy was a product of that struggle. It was a product of that commitment. And was a product of that determination, Mr President, you have a duty to succeed. If you succeed, you will hear your glory because it came from the trenches. You came from that struggle. You come from that period of struggle. Mr president If the president if you fail, they will say that those of you who fought for democracy, have nothing new to offer. Nigeria will pray for you. And we believe that the reforms which have taken there is no doubt about you to have recognized the untold hardship and the suffering that’s inflicted on millions of people.”
Sani also spoke about the current state of Nigerian prisons, recalling his own imprisonment during the dark days of military rule and urged the president to address the conditions in these facilities and release young protesters detained during the #EndSARS movement.
He stated, “Do something about the Nigerian prisons because they were the ones who hosted us in those days. And in those dark days of the struggle,. Mr. President, there are some people who are still in detention as a result of the EndSARs protest. There were young people who were protesting for justice, for freedom and for democracy. Any young protester in Nigeria today can learn from you. Because you were the father of protests in Nigeria. Do something about it. Give them the freedom. You taught us. You funded us to stand up and fight so they are your children and your grandchildren. Give them the pattern. Thank you and God bless.”
