- Shehu Sani said many political leaders behaved arrogantly in office, forgetting that power was temporary
- He argued that some misused state authority, only to seek protection from democratic institutions after leaving power
- His remarks sparked mixed reactions online amid ongoing legal and political battles involving former office holders
Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has criticised Nigerian political leaders, saying many behave as though they are untouchable while in office but become vulnerable and helpless once they lose power.
Sani made the remarks in a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, reflecting on what he described as the transient nature of political authority.
According to him, access to state power often intoxicates leaders, causing them to misuse the instruments of authority at their disposal.
“When some people are in power, they get inebriated by the weapons of authority at their disposal. They forget that it’s temporary. Because the levers of power enable them to arrest, detain, threaten or kill, they start thinking and arrogantly behaving like gods,” Sani wrote.
The former lawmaker noted that such leaders often ignore the fate of those who previously occupied similar positions, acting as though their hold on power is permanent.
“They become blind to what happened to their predecessors. When power slips out of their hands, they become vulnerable, helpless and live at the mercy of those in power,” he added.
Sani further observed that politicians who once disregarded democratic principles and the rule of law frequently turn to those same institutions for protection once they exit office.
He said that when out of power, such individuals return to the very people they had previously repressed or oppressed, seeking refuge in legal systems they neither respected nor upheld during their tenure.
In a pointed conclusion, Sani criticised what he described as society’s tendency to forgive and forget too easily.
“A forgiving and forgetful society will always and tragically embrace and sympathise with evil men when it’s their moment of Karma,” he stated.
Although Sani did not mention any specific individuals, his comments come amid ongoing political developments and legal battles involving former public office holders across the country.
The statement has since generated reactions online, with some users agreeing with his assessment of Nigeria’s political culture, while others argued that accountability mechanisms remain weak.
Sani, known for his outspoken views on governance and civil liberties, has frequently used social media to comment on issues relating to power, justice and democratic accountability in Nigeria.