Shehu Sani: Activists’ Mistake in 1999 Still Affecting Nigeria’s Democracy

Former federal lawmaker and activist Shehu Sani has claimed that a decision made by some pro-democracy activists in 1999 continues to impact Nigeria’s democratic landscape today.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Sani reflected on the transition from military to civilian rule and how some activists, including himself, chose to continue their struggle outside mainstream politics, while others, like Bola Tinubu, embraced political participation.

He noted that while Tinubu entered politics, other prominent activists such as Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, Olisa Agbakoba, Mike Ozekhome, and himself remained focused on advocacy and human rights activism.

“The mistake some of us activists made in 1999 is still affecting democracy to this day. When it was time for the transition to civil rule, we refused to stop activism,” Sani said.

He explained that the “Fawehinmi school of thought” believed in fighting for social justice through activism rather than political engagement.

In contrast, Tinubu prioritized governance and the establishment of political structures.

“At the time, 98 per cent of activists followed Gani, and by the time we realized that the path would not take us far, we decided to contest elections in 2003.

Even Gani, Femi Falana, Olisa Agbakoba, and Mike Ozekhome contested and performed woefully. By then, Tinubu had already moved on from activism to becoming a state governor, and today, he is the president,” he said.

Sani admitted that activists had taken the wrong path by staying out of mainstream politics, recalling failed election bids by some of his peers.

“Olisa Agbakoba and Gani Fawehinmi contested for the presidency but did not succeed. Mike Ozekhome ran for governor in Edo but was unsuccessful, and Femi Falana also contested for governor in Ekiti but could not make it,” he added.

Sani’s remarks highlight the long-term consequences of activists’ early decisions on Nigeria’s political evolution.