Former Senator Shehu Sani has recounted how he narrowly avoided a six-month suspension from the Senate in 2018 after revealing the salaries and allowances of federal lawmakers. According to Sani, he was almost suspended for his actions, but the timely intervention of then-Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy Ike Ekweremadu helped him avoid the penalty.
Sani shared this experience on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), in light of the recent suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Reflecting on the risks of speaking out within the Senate, Sani warned that any lawmaker who exposes internal matters, such as financial details, might face harsh consequences and would likely be left to face those consequences alone.
He cautioned fellow lawmakers, stating, “If you blow the whistle too loudly, you will be ‘on your own’. No senator will risk their head or neck to support you.” Sani’s comments shed light on the pressures and challenges of challenging the status quo in Nigerian politics.