Shehu Sani accuses northern elites of politicising insecurity ahead of 2027

By Kunle Sanni –

Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani has accused some northern political elites of exploiting the region’s security crisis for political gain, claiming that certain figures even take pleasure in the rising attacks.

Speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday, Sani criticised what he described as hypocrisy among politicians who remained silent during previous waves of mass abductions but are now using insecurity as a political tool ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Some of the loudest voices today were silent when thousands were kidnapped under a government they called ‘our own’,” he said.

“Now they attempt to weaponise insecurity as 2027 approaches. Some even rejoice when soldiers fall. This is immoral.”

Sani further argued that insecurity in the north cannot be externalised, noting that insurgents and bandits operating in the region are largely homegrown.

“The terrorists in the north-east are northerners; the bandits in the north-west speak Hausa, Fulfulde, and Kanuri, not Mandarin or French. This is our problem. Only we can solve it,” he said.

The former lawmaker urged northern leaders to confront the crisis with sincerity rather than political calculation, warning that continued exploitation of insecurity risks worsening the region’s instability.