Former Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to immediately end the “cruel prosecution” of minors and return them to their families.
Ezekwesili, a specialist in economic and public policy and Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative, also called for appropriate compensation for these minors, who have been detained for months due to their participation in the August #EndBadGovernance protests.
The former Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) presidential candidate cautioned President Tinubu, emphasizing that no leader has ever succeeded by opposing their people.
Responding to the recent arraignment of minors held for around three months simply for exercising their constitutional right to protest, Ezekwesili condemned Nigerian leaders, calling their actions “wicked.”
“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.
The former Vice President of World Bank’s Africa Region, who took to her X handle, wrote a message addressed to President Tinubu.
She said, “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.
She said, “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.
