Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani revealed that President Bola Tinubu encouraged him, Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, and Olisa to enter politics during the military regime.

Sani recalled that Tinubu urged them to get involved in politics before politicians dominated the political arena. He shared this during a panel discussion at the This Nigeria Lecture and Award event in Abuja on Thursday.

The event’s theme was “25 Years of Unbroken Democracy: Challenges, Prospects, and Possibilities.”

He said: “After we decided to listen to him, we sat down to discuss what to do. The ANC in South Africa took over political power after their struggle, but we made a fundamental mistake by refusing to cooperate with the military.

“Mike Ozekhome, Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, and Olisa Agbakoba all opposed joining. It was Bola Tinubu who argued that if we didn’t get involved, others would take over. By the time we agreed to join politics, politicians had already occupied all positions.

“Then, by the time we all agreed to join politics, politicians had taken over all posts. Mike Ozekhome tried to be governor of Edo State; he couldn’t. Olisa tried to be president; he couldn’t. Gani tried to be president; he couldn’t. Falana tried to be governor of his state; he couldn’t. I tried to be governor of Kaduna State; I couldn’t, because the space were all taken over.”