Prominent activist and public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has responded to Senator Shehu Sani’s remarks questioning why many northerners remained silent during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure but have become vocal under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
In a recent post, Senator Sani criticized northern elites and citizens for their selective activism, highlighting their quiet stance during Buhari’s administration compared to their current vocal opposition under Tinubu, a southerner. Sani’s post read: “Tax reform bill: You kept quiet under Buhari.”
Responding to this, Mahdi Shehu drew literary parallels to explain his perspective. He referenced Chinua Achebe’s novel Arrow of God, comparing Sani’s stance to Oduche, the son of Ezeulu, who imprisoned a sacred python to impress colonial powers. Shehu suggested that Sani’s commentary might be self-serving, reflecting actions that could harm collective interests.
Shehu also invoked Shakespeare’s Hamlet, likening Sani to Ophelia, whose blind loyalty to Prince Hamlet led to personal tragedy after Hamlet killed her father. This comparison implied that blind allegiance or selective criticism could have damaging consequences.
Additionally, Mahdi Shehu cited the South African poem Boy on a Swing, illustrating the confusion and lack of direction in Sani’s political commentary. The imagery of the boy swinging aimlessly symbolized a disoriented approach to activism and criticism.
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Mahdi Shehu’s nuanced response adds depth to the ongoing discourse about regional loyalty, political accountability, and the evolving dynamics of public criticism in Nigeria’s political landscape.
