Shehu Sani, the former Kaduna Central Senator, has cautioned that national anthem alone cannot unite a nation, adding that it is the ideals of freedom, justice, and equity that bring true unity.

He disclosed this on Wednesday, while speaking at a special dinner organised to mark Democracy Day at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

He also told President Bola Tinubu that he had aduty to succeed.

He said in part, “Mr President, i will like to draw your attention to this fact and this truth, A national anthem cannot unite a nation, a national pledge cannot unite a nation, a constitution cannot unite a nation.

“A nation is united by the ideals of freedom, a nation is united by equity and by justice.

“This democracy was not a gift given to us by the military, it was not a lottery that we won, it was a product of struggle and sacrifice.

“Mr President, you have a duty to succeed. If you succeed, we will share your glory becuase you came from the trenches, you came from that struggle, you came from that period of struggle.

“Mr President, if you fail, they will say that those of you who fought for democracy have nothing new to offer Nigeria.”