From Idu Jude, Abuja
The national body of Obidient Movement has called for the unconditional release of human rights activist Barrister Dele Farotimi, who was recently arrested by the police.
Obidient Movement crusaders, in a swift reaction through a press statement signed by its National Coordinator Dr. Tanko Yunusa on Wednesday, expressed their deepest concern and shock regarding the Gestapo-style arrest of its member Dele Farotimi, a renowned human rights lawyer, activist, and advocate for good governance.
According to the release, Farotimi’s detention allegedly stems from a petition filed to the Inspector General of the Police, raising serious questions about the misuse of power and the suppression of freedom of speech in Nigeria.
The statement further reads, “This government inflicted pain on the Nigerian people by increasing the cost of fuel prices with impunity from #165 to #1,100 and above, depending on one’s location, thereby increasing the cost of food items and other essential commodities directly linked to the purchase of Premium Motor Spirit, with absolutely nothing to show for it. Now, people can no longer afford a square meal a day, not to mention three square meals in their houses. Civil servants are impoverished, the Nigerian people are living in total hunger, with poverty increasing beyond measure. The Nigerian people are making frantic efforts to survive with no certainty of what tomorrow brings.
“In addition, they floated the naira, increasing the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar from the rate of one dollar to one thousand eight hundred naira, which has a trickle-down effect on all purchases and consumption without being creative in trying to revamp, revive our industries, support agriculture, and boost the economy. Businesses are collapsing due to the cost of running them, start-up funds for SMEs are high, with the interest rate raised to 27.5%. Where does this administration want the common man to go? Insecurity has skyrocketed due to hunger and malnutrition. Our health sector is in total shambles, to mention but a few.
“Similarly, the unprecedented increase in electricity tariffs, without the service to back it, has affected the economy and the living standards of Nigerians tremendously. The purported tax reform, which has a sinister motive, will further impoverish the people without commensurate productive reforms that can help the nation’s economy thrive.
“There is hunger in the land. The so-called minimum wage for the Nigerian people cannot afford a bag of rice, spaghetti, vegetable oil, etc. Sadly, but the bitter truth is that when salaries are paid, the money is gone or spent in advance. In fact, most civil/public servants have affirmed to me that their salaries last for just 48 hours, while others claim it extends to one week (7 days), and they proceed to borrow from online loan lenders (loan sharks). Unfortunately, people can no longer take care of their basic needs. Security, transportation to work, food, education, and health are at the lowest ebb. In fact, most families with one or two children have decided to put a stop to procreation (childbirth) due to the unwarranted hardship.
“As a vocal advocate for human rights, Dele Farotimi has consistently spoken out against injustice and championed the rights of marginalized communities. His arrest appears to be a blatant attempt to silence him and intimidate others who dare to challenge the status quo.
“On this note, we unequivocally condemn this nefarious act of abuse of power and demand that the Nigerian police respect Dele Farotimi’s fundamental human rights as enshrined in Section 40, Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. We urge the Nigerian authorities to ensure his immediate and unconditional release, guaranteeing that his rights are protected throughout the process.
“Failure to release him immediately, we shall invoke our fundamental rights as citizens to engage in a series of public protests across the country to challenge this gross abuse of power and neglect of the people.
“Furthermore, we call on the international community to take note of this disturbing development and to stand in solidarity with Dele Farotimi and all those who are fighting for justice and human rights in Nigeria. The protection of human rights and the promotion of free speech are essential to a healthy democracy, and we must collectively defend these principles.
“We are aware of the one-by-one arrests which are targeted towards the arrest of His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi for speaking truth to power. We want to assure you that we will resist any form of cruelty and flagrant abuse of power against Mr Peter Obi.”