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Senator Shehu Sani told President Bola Tinubu that the “ideals of freedom, equity, and justice” are the antidotes to reuniting Nigeria, not the national anthem.
Sani stated this at the dinner ceremony on Wednesday, June 12, to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day and the 25th anniversary of uninterrupted democracy.
“Mr President, i will like to draw your attention to this fact and this truth, A national anthem cannot unite a nation, a national pledge cannot unite a nation, a constitution cannot unite a nation.
“A nation is united by the ideals of freedom, a nation is united by equity and by justice.
“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,” he said.
The ex-lawmaker’s appeal doubles down on President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the National Anthem Bill, which led to its change from “Arise, Oh Compatriots” to “Nigeria we hail thee.”
This change sparked outrage amongst Nigerians and questioned the competence and priority level of the Nigerian government.
Meanwhile, Senator Sani charged President Tinubu with embracing the implementation of reforms, emphasising that he must succeed at the helm of affairs.
“Mr President, you have a duty to succeed. If you succeed, we will share your glory because you came from the trenches, you came from that struggle, you came from that period of struggle.
“Mr President, if you fail, they will say that those of you who fought for democracy have nothing new to offer Nigeria,” he said.