Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has described the late human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, as a major figure in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy and political freedom.
Sani said Fawehinmi played a significant role in expanding Nigeria’s political space by challenging restrictions placed on political associations seeking registration.
The governor spoke on Saturday in Kaduna at the public presentation of a book titled Gani Fawehinmi and Uba Sani: A Tale of Mentor and Mentee, authored by Basirat Fawehinmi Biobaku.
According to Sani, Fawehinmi refused to be discouraged when many pro-democracy activists became frustrated by the political situation in the country.
He said the late activist encouraged his colleagues to trust the judiciary and the rule of law while using democratic institutions to protect democracy.
Sani recalled that Fawehinmi and former Kaduna State Governor, Balarabe Musa, went to court to challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission over conditions imposed on political associations seeking registration.
He said the legal battle lasted for more than two years before the Court of Appeal ruled in their favour in 2002.
According to him, INEC subsequently appealed the decision at the Supreme Court, which also upheld their position in January 2003.
Sani said the judicial victory contributed to the opening of Nigeria’s political space and enabled the emergence of more political parties.
He urged Nigerians to remember the sacrifices made by people such as Fawehinmi whenever citizens exercise their right to political association.
“Democracy has a history, and every freedom has a cost,” the governor said.
Sani also described Fawehinmi as a nationalist who believed strongly in the development of all parts of Nigeria, regardless of ethnicity, religion, region or social status.
He said education was another area to which Fawehinmi was deeply committed, noting that this informed the establishment of the Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship Foundation.
The governor recalled that he was given the responsibility of coordinating the foundation’s scholarship programme in Northern Nigeria.
Sani said he subsequently convinced Fawehinmi to establish a major scholarship initiative for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged university students in the region.
He said the programme eventually provided scholarships to more than 1,000 indigent students studying at universities across Northern Nigeria.
According to him, several beneficiaries later became doctors, lawyers, academics, engineers and professionals in other fields.
Sani recalled that Fawehinmi, during the launch of the scholarship programme at Arewa House about 26 years ago, challenged Northern leaders to confront the region’s educational challenges.
He said the late activist warned that failure to address educational backwardness could create serious problems for the region.
Sani noted that Fawehinmi’s warning remained relevant, arguing that inadequate investment in human capital had contributed to some of the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
Describing Fawehinmi as one of the most influential Nigerians of his generation, the governor said the activist consistently placed principle and justice above personal comfort.
“He used the law as an instrument of liberation and defended ordinary citizens against arbitrary power,” Sani said.
He added that Fawehinmi made significant contributions to the struggles for democracy, accountability and respect for human dignity in Nigeria.
Sani congratulated the author of the book, Basirat Fawehinmi Biobaku, saying the publication had preserved a mentorship relationship with wider national significance.
He said the book went beyond the relationship between a mentor and his mentee, highlighting themes including courage, social justice, democratic struggle, education and responsible leadership.
The governor added that the story also underscored the duty of one generation to prepare the next for service to the nation.
