In response to Minister Nyesom Wike's recent remarks, former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani—who served as the 8th National Assembly's representative for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District—has promised to meet with Wike. As part of an interview for Channels Television's "Sunday Politics," Sani responded to Wike's demand to disclose all of his Senate achievements to the public.
In an apparent attempt to dodge rebuttals, Sani accused Wike of speaking last at gatherings, which irked him. "Wike is a fantastic companion. Instead of responding to him on TV, I would have preferred to have done it at an event. At two different events I went to, he deliberately chose to speak last so that nobody could answer him.
But I feel that I would respond to his statements instantly when the opportunity comes," Sani remarked. Claiming that Wike and other political figures today profit from their fights to topple Nigeria's military regime, he continued by justifying his and others' attempts to do so. "Wike is reaping the benefits of our fight and sacrifice; he would not have been able to serve as chairman of the Local Government, governor, or minister had we not worked to topple Nigeria's military dictatorship."
Speaking on his time spent in prison for political reasons, Sani recalled his time in Port Harcourt Prison and questioned Wike's role there: "Where was he when I was serving a prison term for political reasons?" Sani also dealt with the notion that Wike was targeting him specifically in his remarks.
He made it clear that he did not take offense to Wike's remarks and that the senator was making a bigger point about the Senate's influence on democracy. At an occasion where they will both be present, Sani vowed to ensure that Wike does not speak last, allowing him to answer directly. Sani assured him, "The next time we attend an occasion, I will not speak last because I am aware of his strategy." Sani went on to say, "He will certainly receive a response."