Former lawmaker Shehu Sani condemned the violence that accompanied the nationwide protests in the North on Tuesday, suggesting it was an attempt to overthrow the government.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Senator Sani alleged that a few days into the protests, money and foreign flags were distributed among the youth in the northern region.
“On the day before the last protest, money was handed out to the youths, along with Russian flags,” he stated. “This indicates that the protest’s objective isn’t solely about government policies and programs.”
“There seemed to be an effort to create a scenario conducive to overthrowing the government,” Sani continued. “When you see this, it’s clear that someone is trying to incite anarchy, lawlessness, and disorder. It’s crucial for people like us to speak out.”
The protests, including in cities like Kaduna and Kano, saw some demonstrators waving Russian flags and calling for military intervention.
The #EndBadGovernance protests began on August 1 and are scheduled to last for ten days. The protesters are demanding the reversal of unfavorable government policies.
In states such as Kano, Niger, and Jigawa, the protests have turned violent, resulting in casualties.