Outgoing Bad Governance: Timi Frank Appeals To Tinubu For Release Of Detained Protesters.

Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Urges President Tinubu to Unconditionally Release #EndBadGovernance Protesters and Stop Use of Lethal Force by Security Forces

In a statement issued on Sunday, Comrade Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately order the release of all #EndBadGovernance protesters who have been arrested and detained by the police and other security forces. Frank also urged the President to put an end to the killings and use of lethal force by the police against peaceful protesters.

Frank strongly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his antagonistic stance towards the protesters. He called on President Tinubu to consider removing Wike from his position if he continues to show disrespect towards the Nigerian youths. According to Frank, Nigerians have the inherent right to protest against bad government policies and demand positive changes for the benefit of all.

Although the ongoing protests have been infiltrated by sponsored groups in certain states, their primary objectives are noble and aim to expose the organizers and provide an excuse for security forces to crack down on them. However, this should not be the case. The vacation judge in Abuja has already ruled that the rights of protesters to freedom of movement and expression should be protected, but unfortunately, the security forces have failed to adhere to this court order.

This failure has resulted in the unjust killing, arrest, brutalization, and incarceration of protesters, as well as the exploitation of the protests by government-sponsored agents for criminal activities. As such, decisive action must be taken to prevent this situation from continuing. The President must step in and genuinely protect the protesting youths, approaching them as a father would approach an angry child. It is important to remember that these youths have no other country but Nigeria to call their own.

In addition, Frank criticized FCT Minister Wike for obtaining a biased court order that aimed to confine the protesters to the Abuja Stadium. However, he praised the courage and bravery of the demonstrators who defied this order. Unfortunately, peaceful protesters have been tear-gassed by the police and numerous individuals have been arrested, detained, and even harassed, including journalists.

This aggression must come to an end. Any further acts of aggression against peaceful protesters by the police and other security agencies may lead to resistance from the protesters themselves.

Frank called for close monitoring of the ongoing protests and the brutal response of the security forces by the international community. He also urged the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to impose visa bans on the FCT Minister, as well as the chiefs of police and the army who have been involved in the brutalization of protesters.

Expressing condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and wishing a speedy recovery to those who were injured, Frank called on the International Criminal Court to hold the Inspector General of Police and all Service Chiefs in Nigeria accountable for the killing of unarmed protesters in recent days. Additionally, he pledged to petition the ICC to prosecute Wike and the Inspector General of Police for ordering the use of tear gas and live ammunition against unarmed peaceful protesters in Abuja and Kano, respectively.

Frank emphasized that the government should refrain from using force against the protesters and instead prioritize dialogue and peaceful engagement as the means to bring an end to the protests.