Stop intimidating activists: Ajadi reacts to arrest of Sowore

A stalwart of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has issued a fervent appeal to the Federal Government, imploring them to desist from the arbitrary arrest and intimidation of human rights activists, and instead, focus their energies on revitalizing the nation’s flagging economy.

This entreaty was made in response to the recent detention of the African Action Congress’s (AAC) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, upon his return from a foreign sojourn at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Ajadi’s admonition was further underscored by the preceding week’s arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, by agents of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore, a leading figure in the recent #endbadgovernance protest, was reportedly apprehended on Sunday morning at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, only to be released later, with his passport returned to him after an initial confiscation.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Ajadi reiterated his earlier counsel against Sowore’s arrest, emphasizing that the paramount concern for Nigerians is the nation’s ailing economy, which has relegated citizens to a life of misery. He implored the Federal Government to redirect its focus towards ameliorating the lives of Nigerians through concerted efforts to revitalize the economy.

Ajadi’s statement continued, “The recent arrests of Sowore and Comrade Joe Ajaero will undoubtedly cast the Bola Tinubu administration in an unfavorable light. Rather than perpetuating a culture of intimidation, the government should prioritize the welfare of its citizens, who are presently enduring unimaginable hardships. The deregulation of petroleum products has led to exorbitant prices, with Nigerians purchasing petrol at rates ranging from N1000 to N1200, a stark contrast to the previous price of N695.

“The country’s economy is in a state of utter disarray, with the cost of foodstuffs skyrocketing. Essential commodities like rice, gari, elubo, and pepper have become unaffordable. The newly agreed-upon minimum wage remains unimplemented, leaving workers struggling to commute to their offices. Furthermore, the coexistence of two distinct sets of Naira notes has created an environment conducive to counterfeiting, while the exchange rate has rendered the Naira virtually worthless compared to foreign currencies, including the Ghanaian Cedi and West African CFAs.”

Ajadi concluded by urging the Nigerian government to focus on important issues rather than chasing shadows.