Former Kaduna State Senator, Shehu Sani has alleged that recent violence during the #EndBadGovernance protests in northern Nigeria was an orchestrated attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sani claimed that, a day before the protests began, funds and foreign flags, including Russian ones, were distributed to youth in the region.
Sani suggested that the protests, ostensibly aimed at highlighting dissatisfaction with government policies and economic hardships, were not solely driven by genuine grievances. Instead, he argued that they were part of a broader scheme to incite anarchy and lawlessness as a precursor to an unconstitutional change in government.
“The distribution of money and Russian flags indicates that the intent behind the protests extends beyond discontent with government policies,” Sani stated.
“It appears to be a deliberate attempt to create chaos and unsettle the current administration. There is clearly a coordinated effort to destabilize the country.”
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which began on August 1, were sparked by public dissatisfaction with the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. While the demonstrations aimed to address these issues, some northern protests saw participants waving Russian flags and calling for military intervention.
In response to the unrest, Nigeria’s security chiefs and heads of agencies have issued stern warnings against the display of foreign flags and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the country’s democratic integrity and territorial sovereignty. They have pledged to take decisive action to maintain order and protect democracy amidst the ongoing protests.