Shehu Sani, a prominent Nigerian politician, human rights activist, author, playwright, and poet, was born on October 29, 1967, in Tudun Wada, Kaduna South, Kaduna State, Nigeria. He is best known for his unwavering support for democracy and human rights, as well as his contributions to writing and public service. Sani was the Senator for Kaduna Central from 2015 to 2019 and is still a significant figure in Nigerian politics and activism.
Shehu Sani Biography
Sani was born on October 29th, 1967, in Tudun Wada, Kaduna. He attended basic school at the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) in Badarawa, Kaduna, from 1975 to 1980. Before attending Government Science College School in Kagara, Niger State, he attended Government Day Secondary School there from 1980 to 1984. From 1984 to 1993, he studied at Kaduna Polytechnic, where he graduated with an associate’s degree in agricultural engineering.
Career
During his time at Kaduna Polytechnic, he was an activist for the student union. He chaired the Central Mobilization Committee of the PAN-African Student Organization and served as President of the African Democratic Youth Congress. In addition, he was the Kaduna State Students Union’s Social Director. Sani was raised in a Nigerian middle-class household. The production manager was his father.
He worked for the pro-Northern New Nigerian Newspaper for 30 years after receiving training in Germany and the United Kingdom. He had previously been employed by the Kano Daily Mail as a printer. He was the official printer for Sokoto State from 1976 to 1979.
Sani benefited from his father’s well-stocked library, which he used to enhance his education. During a time when Eastern European literature was flooding the market, he was especially moved by novels that promoted socialism and left-wing politics. His views and socialist outlook on life were shaped by books, which also exposed him to the decadence and harsh reality of military dictatorships.
In addition, Aminu Kano, the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and his mother, a local women’s leader, all had an impact on Sani.
After completing his studies at Kaduna Polytechnic, Sani started his national engagement. After being introduced to the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Nigeria’s umbrella pro-democracy organization, by activists like Femi Falana and Beko Ransome-Kuti, he became the National Vice-Chairman and Northern Coordinator for the group.
During General Babangida’s rule, in July 1993, he was first imprisoned. His crime at the time was to support the revalidation of the June 12, 1993, presidential election results, which were won by the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola. At the Ibrahim Taiwo Road magistrate court in Kaduna, Sani was accused of sedition.
Sani co-founded the Movement for Unity and Progress before his numerous incarcerations, and he worked with other progressives from the north, including Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, Bala Usman, James Bawa Magaji, and Balarabe Musa, to fight for the implementation of the June 12 annulled presidential election and other causes.
Security agents and other state officials have battled with Sani, who is well-known for supporting human rights activities for the impoverished and underprivileged.
It was he who was the only human rights activist to speak out against the massacre during the 2000 religious clashes in Kaduna. He was chosen in 2005 to reorganize civic society at a national summit. Traditional leaders in the meeting asked that Shehu Sani be barred from speaking after he called for their disbandment because of their prior compliant support of military tyrants.
Justice Niki Tobi, the commission’s chairman, turned down the call. When it was the most suicidal thing to do, he planned the first visit to the “war zone” and pioneered the delivery of relief supplies during the Kaduna riot.
Political career
Shehu Sani was elected Senator for Kaduna Central in 2015 by the All Progressives Congress (APC). During his term, he chaired the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts and was Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Notably, he became the first Nigerian senator to openly disclose his holdings. In 2018, he resigned from the APC to join the People’s Redemption Party.
Literary Contributions
Sani is a successful author with multiple books, plays, and poetry collections to his credit. Some of his notable achievements are
- Killing Fields
- Political Assassination in Nigeria
- Scorpion Under Pillow
- Civilian Dictators of Africa
Who is Shehu Sani wife?
Shehu Sani is married to Rabi Shehu and Hauwa Sani. The couple has children, but no information about them is made public.
Shehu Sani Net Worth
Shehu Sani’s exact net worth is unknown; nevertheless, his background as a senator, author, activist, and public personality suggests significant financial stability.
Social Media
X: @ShehuSani
