The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), have condemned the arrest of the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf.

The two groups called Yusuf?s arrest a politically motivated attempt to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices.

Professor Yusuf, a renowned Hematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant specialist was arrested on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at his Abuja residence by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Reacting to the arrest in a statement, the Spokesperson of NEF, Prof. Abubakar Jika Jiddere, noted that Prof Yusuf was arraigned before a Federal High Court in the FCT on Thursday, January 30, 2025, but the case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.

Jiddere decried the arrest, labeling it a calculated move to intimidate opposition figures and suppress democratic voices.

He Is a Professor of Hematology-Oncology and Bone-marrow transplant.

He said: ?The Northern Elders Forum is hereby calling for his release, as it sees his arrest as purely politically motivated to suppress and oppress popular democratic voices that openly challenge the poor public policies and bad governance being imposed on the people by this administration.

?It is a deliberate plan to silence and intimidate the political opposition and to reverse many of the democratic rights won by Nigerians over the years in the fight against dictatorship and all forms of inhuman oppressions.?

Echoing NEF?s position, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) also condemned the arrest. In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, described Yusuf as a fearless critic of the current administration who has consistently spoken out against corruption and poor governance.

Charanchi said: ?While the CNG recognises that the EFCC or any agency has the mandate to invite or arrest any person suspected of wrongdoing, it rejects politically orchestrated silencing of people that are critical to the government whereas many corrupt people are being shielded and pampered by the same government.

?The CNG finds it deeply troubling that an administration that once thrived on opposition politics and enjoyed the freedom to criticize previous governments is now resorting to draconian measures to stifle democratic engagement. Such acts of political suppression set a dangerous precedent and threaten the very foundations of Nigeria?s democracy.

?We cannot afford to regress into an era where dissent is criminalized and opposition voices are forcefully silenced through harassment, intimidation and arbitrary arrest.

?The CNG demands the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Yusuf. We urge the government to focus on addressing the pressing challenges facing the nation, rather than expending energy on silencing critics. Democracy thrives on dialogue, debate, and the free exchange of ideas, not on the suppression of dissenting voices.?

The coalition call on the Tinubu administration to uphold democratic principles by allowing a free and open space for constructive criticism and alternative views, adding that, ?If the government continues on this path of repression, it will only fuel greater resistance and deepen the growing mistrust between the leadership and the people.?

CNG also urged civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to monitor the situation and hold the government accountable. (The Guardian)

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