Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said President Bola Tinubu might have to contend with arresting him and all other critics of his administration, if the pace of arrests made so far is anything to go by.
Atiku stated this while reacting to the recent arrest of Omoyele Sowore and Professor Usman Yusuf, both of whom he described as outspoken critics of the Tinubu administration.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arrested Yusuf and brought him before the court on Thursday for arraignment on allegations of fraud.
The arraignment was, however, moved to Monday to allow for amendment of the charges, according to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale.
On the other hand, Sowore was, on Monday night, detained by the Police in Abuja after refusing to accept bail conditions imposed on him after interrogation.
Sowore was summoned by the Police to address multiple allegations, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking and actions allegedly intended to prevent arrests.
Describing Sowore’s prosecution as baseless, the former presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recalled how he was viciously attacked for calling out Tinubu and the APC for planning a grand design for a one-party autocracy.
Atiku, who reacted to the arrests on his X handle, said “When I made the clarion call that Tinubu and the APC were devoting their energies to the systematic harassment, intimidation, and dismantling of the opposition, all in service of their grand design for a one-party autocracy, I became the target of vicious attacks. The arrest and baseless prosecution of @YeleSowore is the latest chapter in this unrelenting campaign.
“Now, they have seen fit to add Professor Usman Yusuf — an outspoken critic of this administration — into their grim roster. At the pace they are going, it seems they may soon find themselves contending with the incarceration of every one of us,” he stated.
Ogene noted that shortly before his abduction, Hon. Azuka had regained his mandate after the Elections Petitions Tribunal sacked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) Hon. Douglas Egbuna, who was previously announced winner of the 2023 state assembly poll.
Ogene said: “The level of carnage going on in Anambra on a daily basis is heart-rending. People live in fear as a result of the growing insecurity. The rate of bloodletting, kidnappings and other violent crimes in the state is fast turning the state into a killing field. And this is not an exaggeration. The crime that is reported in the state is just a tiny fraction of the horrendous insecurity reality in Anambra. That’s the brutal truth.
“The horrific experiences of kidnapping survivors in Anambra underscore the dire need for improved security in the state. The government’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens, as well as protect their property. It is imperative that the government takes decisive action to reclaim control from criminal gangs and restore confidence among the people.
“Although I am aware of recent efforts to tackle the menace, through the launch of Operation Udo ga chi and Agunachemba security outfit, one wonders why it took the state government more than two years to get serious about tackling the insecurity choking the state.
“The government must prioritize the security of lives and property, as this is fundamental to its role and save the people from the daily horror of the current situation in Anambra,” Hon. Ogene said.
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