In a heartfelt tribute marking Senator Shehu Sani’s 58th birthday, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has hailed his longtime comrade as an indomitable figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, whose unwavering commitment to justice continues to inspire the nation.
Posted on the Governor’s verified Facebook page on October 29, 2025, the tribute reflects on their shared history of activism and celebrates Shehu Sani’s recent national recognition and political reconciliation.
Governor Uba Sani described the occasion as a moment to honor “a brother, comrade, and patriot whose life story is indelibly woven into Nigeria’s democratic tapestry.” He emphasized how their bond was “forged in the crucible of resistance,” recalling their early days as student union leaders who viewed “silence in the face of oppression [as] complicity.”
The tribute delves into the pivotal events that shaped their activism, particularly the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola had “freely and fairly won.” Governor Uba Sani noted that when the military junta attempted to “ethnicise the struggle, portraying it as a Yoruba cause,” Shehu Sani “rose with defiant clarity from the North to proclaim that justice is neither regional nor sectarian. It is universal.”
Together, they bridged regional divides, “working together, bridging the activism of the North and South, determined that the flame of freedom would not die.”
The Governor recounted the heavy personal toll of their resistance: “When the regime struck back, Shehu paid the highest price of conviction. Arrested repeatedly and ultimately condemned to life imprisonment under General Sani Abacha’s dictatorship, he bore persecution with uncommon dignity.”
Even in prison, Shehu Sani turned adversity into opportunity, “transforming captivity into a crucible of enlightenment: mentoring inmates, writing, and distilling pain into purpose.”
His release upon the restoration of democracy symbolized “not merely his personal freedom but the triumph of the human spirit over tyranny.”
Governor Uba Sani praised Shehu Sani’s post-release contributions, stating that he has “remained steadfast to the ideals that once made us fugitives for freedom.” Through his roles as founder of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, a writer, and a legislator, Shehu Sani has “continued to challenge power and defend the voiceless and vulnerable,” speaking “truth with fearless eloquence” on issues like sectarian violence and injustice.
A highlight of the tribute is the recent national honor bestowed upon Shehu Sani. “It was therefore fitting that on June 12, 2025, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), recognising his indelible contributions to Nigeria’s democratic rebirth,” wrote Governor Sani, adding that he was “deeply honoured to share that moment with him, as comrades once again reunited under the light of freedom we long fought for.”
The Governor also addressed Shehu Sani’s political journey, noting his “recent return to the All Progressives Congress reflects his abiding faith in reconciliation and progress.” This move, according to the tribute, “affirms the redemptive power of dialogue; values that shaped our activism and now define our leadership,” and underscores his “enduring commitment to Kaduna State’s unity and Nigeria’s collective advancement.”
In a poignant conclusion, Governor Uba Sani saluted “not merely Shehu Sani, the public figure, but the indomitable spirit he embodies: the conscience that refuses to grow weary, the idealist who would rather suffer for truth than prosper in silence.” He invoked a blessing: “May Allah bless him with strength, wisdom, and long life. And may his example remind us always that democracy is not a gift but a duty; one that demands courage, sacrifice, and eternal vigilance.”
