Shehu Sani Accuses Nigeria of Double Standards Over Amaechi’s Civil War Warning

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has accused Nigeria of applying double standards in its response to threats of political, religious and ethnic violence, alleging that people from the South-East are treated differently from those in other regions.

Sani made the allegation in a post on his X handle on Sunday while reacting to comments by former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Rotimi Amaechi, who warned that a recent court judgment affecting the party’s leadership could trigger civil war if not properly managed.

Amaechi, who is the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate, had made the remark during an interview on Mainland 98.3 FM.

The warning followed a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja which nullified the National Working Committee led by former Senate President, David Mark. The ruling also invalidated the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Speaking during the interview, Amaechi said the judgment could have serious consequences if the situation was not handled carefully.

“It could cause a civil war if not properly managed,” he said.

Reacting, Sani argued that the statement should not be treated casually, insisting that threats capable of undermining national peace must attract equal attention, regardless of the region or ethnic background of the person making them.

The former lawmaker alleged that when individuals from other parts of the country threaten political, religious or ethnic violence, their comments are often treated as normal by the government and the public, unlike similar statements attributed to people from the South-East.

He said: “If anyone from any part of the country makes a threat of political, religious or ethnic violence; if anyone can make a threat of civil war; as long as he is not from the South-East, the nation and the general public treat it as normal.

“This is how the country selectively, disproportionately, discriminately, and immorally acts on matters of peace, security, justice, and national unity.”

Sani criticised what he described as the selective and discriminatory handling of security-related statements, warning that such an approach could undermine public confidence in the country’s commitment to justice and national unity.

He maintained that threats of violence should be taken seriously and addressed consistently, irrespective of the identity, political affiliation or geographical origin of those involved.

The exchange comes amid heightened political tension surrounding the ADC leadership crisis and its implications for the opposition party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.