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Some of the protesters arraigned by the police at the Federal High Court in Abuja were as young as
Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last election, and Dr. Obiageli ?Oby? Ezekwesili, the former Minister of Solid Minerals, have condemned Friday?s trial of minors over their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Obi, on his own, said it was disturbing to watch videos of minors standing trial over protest with many of them fainting for demanding good governance, calling on the authorities to do the right thing.
Taking to his X handle on Friday, Obi said; ?I just watched the disturbing and condemnable scenes captured in a circulating video, showing 124 protesters?among them minors?appearing in court today as part of efforts to secure the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
?The footage reveals minors, some so weak that they could barely stand, others fainting from sheer exhaustion and lack of nourishment. These children appeared visibly malnourished and starved?a condition that should alarm the conscience of every citizen in our nation.
?From their look, they were poorly handled despite being in the custody of the federal government of Nigeria.
?The offense being alleged against these suspects, including minors, is protesting against bad governance that was directly affecting their livelihood and which our constitution under a democratic dispensation guarantees them. Curiously, most of the people in government today leveraged this aspect of the Constitution standing as champions of good governance while in opposition.
?Moreover, our status presumes that suspects deserve some dignity, even in a correctional home as human beings,? he said.
On her own and through her X handle, the former presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) warned President Tinubu that no ruler has ever won against their people, calling on Tinubu to stop what she called the wicked trial of minors.
She said; ?When those children came out to protest, asking you to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, they were telling you the ?Truth and nothing but the Truth,?? she said, adding that no one can ever solve a problem they deny exists.
?Here is the sordid evidence of the @NigeriaGov punishing your citizens for daring to tell you the truth of #BadGovernance by your administration.
?No one can ever solve a Problem they deny and refuse to own. No one.
?Agitation to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria is shared by overwhelming majority of your citizens. For real.?
She questioned the government?s legal action against the defendants, asking how many Nigerians it can take to court.
?How many of your Citizens can you detain and deprive of their freedoms like done to these minors? Hear me.
?No ruler has ever won against their people forever. Check history. Note that I wrote ruler and not leader.
?The repressive class of politicians in Nigeria are not leaders. You all have serially failed the ?test of leadership? because you act as wicked rulers who feel entitled to the ?publicly-funded luxurious life? while repressing and pauperizing the citizens.
?Second, @officialABAT, the evident corrupted capture of our Judiciary by the @NigeriaGov is playing out daily on Candid Camera before the eyes of the world.
?The trial of these minors is one of many examples these days.
?Stop the wicked prosecution of these minors immediately and send the children back to their parents and guardians.
?Next, ensure that they are compensated for the physical, mental, emotional and overall psychological damage you have done to them by abusing the powers of the Nigerian State and grossly violating their constitutional rights.?
?I hope you start listening to what majority of your Citizens especially these children are telling you daily: ?Ebi npawa?, ?we are hungry?.
?Nothing lasts forever. Today is not Forever,? she added. Arraign
Usman shuaibu Nuhu
1st, Nov, 2024