- * Says Tinubu Should Treat Hunger Protesters With Care
By Our Reporter
A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timi Frank, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately order the unconditional release of all the detainees arrested by the police and other security forces during the protests against high cost of living in Nigeria.
He told the President to approach the protesters with utmost care like a father dealing with angry children, adding that Tinubu should prevent further violence and the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters by law enforcement agencies.
While calling on the international community to closely monitor the ongoing protests and the brutal response of security forces, he urged the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) to impose visa ban on Nigeria's Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and other nation's Security Chiefs responsible for the mistreatment of protesters.
He criticized the FCT Minister for his perceived antagonistic stance towards the protesters, and suggested that President Tinubu should dismiss Wike from office if he continues to show hostility and disrespect to the protesting Nigerian youths.
Timi Frank said that,."Nigerians have the inalienable rights to protest against government policies that adversely affect them, and to demand changes for the collective good".
He acknowledged that while the on-going protests are well-intentioned, they have been exploited by sponsored groups in some states, which have aimed to discredit the organizers and provide security forces with an excuse to suppress the demonstrations.
“This should not be the case. The vacation Judge in Abuja who curtailed the rights of protesters by unjustly restricting them to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium and other public spaces in Lagos, also ruled that the police and other security agencies should protect the protesters both in Abuja and other parts of the country," he emphasized.
Frank criticized the security forces for failing to adhere to the court’s order, which resulted in the unjust killings, arrests, brutalization, and incarceration of protesters, as well as the hijacking of protests by government-sponsored agents to perpetuate criminal acts.
"This situation must not be allowed to continue. The President must genuinely protect the youths who are protesting. He must approach the protesters like a father dealing with a angry children. After all, the youths have no other country to call their own except Nigeria"
As the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, Frank condemned the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly obtaining a biased court order that sought to confine protesters to the Abuja Stadium.
He also praised the courage of the demonstrators who defied the order.
"The enforcement of this unjust order has led to peaceful protesters being tear-gassed by the police, arrested, and detained in large numbers, alongside the harassment of journalists," Frank said.
He warned that any further acts of aggression against peaceful protesters by the police and other security agencies could escalate tensions and provoke resistance from the protesters.
While calling on the international community to closely monitor the ongoing protests and the brutal response of security forces, he urged the governments of the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK)and European Union (EU) to impose visa ban on the FCT Minister and the Chiefs of Police and the Army allegedly responsible for the mistreatment of protesters.
Expressing condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, Frank urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hold the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and all the Service Chiefs in Nigeria accountable for the killings of unarmed protesters in the days of this protests.
He vowed to petition the ICC to prosecute Nyesom Wike and the Nigeria's Police boss for ordering the police to use tear gas and live ammunition against unarmed peaceful protesters in Abuja and Kano, respectively.
Frank urged the Federal Government to avoid using force against the protesters, stating that “only dialogue and peaceful engagements can bring the much-needed resolution to the protests issues.” NNL.
