"We lost many comrades" – Gov. Sani rejects comparing democracy with military tyranny

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani rejected the comparison of Nigeria’s democratic system with military rule.

Speaking on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” on Friday, Sani said the country lost many comrades during the military dictatorship.

He added that those who make such comparisons often have a military background or did not actively participate in the struggle for democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.

The governor urged Nigerians to keep believing in democracy and to work toward strengthening it.

“There is no basis for comparing military rule with democratic governance. During that period of tyranny, many journalists and other comrades were tortured and killed,” he said.

He recalled that MKO Abiola’s wife was killed on 4 June 1996 in Lagos, and that Abiola himself, who had won the country’s freest and fairest election, died in captivity on 7 July 1998.

“Looking at these and other incidents, we lost many of our comrades, so nobody should compare democratic dispensation with military tyranny,” the governor said.