Abuja, Nigeria – Na dem CHRICED pipo don open mouth talk say, Nigeria government don dey run show wey dey criminalise civic freedoms. For one press conference wey happen for Abuja, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, wey be the executive director of CHRICED, shed light say peaceful protests dey treated like rebellious acts.
Zikirullahi no dey slack as e call out the #EndBadGovernance protests wey happen for August 2024, wey security forces allegedly match ground and attack peaceful protesters. E even talk say the way dem dey pursue Omoyele Sowore, wey be Sahara Reporters publisher, na just one example of how government dey silence critics dem. Talk about serious wahala, abeg!
“When civic space dey shrink, na when tyranny dey expand,” Zikirullahi yarn. E talk say Nigeria dey bleed politically, economically, and socially, all dis matter dey happen while government dey give us sweet tales of progress. Na serious thing abeg! For him words, Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary suppose be time to reflect soberly, not to dey celebrate like say all na well.
“As government still dey talk say all dey go fine, reality dey bite many pipo as dem dey live for fear, repression, and poverty. E clear say 60 years after independence, the dreams wey our founding fathers get don turn to frustration,” e add. Zikirullahi no fear to use word like abandonment and betrayal as e dey explain how institutions wey suppose serve the pipo don dey silent and weak.
Zikirullahi no gree rest, as e accuse President Bola Tinubu government say dem dey focus on premature politics instead of good governance. E talk say in barely two years, democracy wey suppose dey shine for we no dey sparkle anymore. The governance wey suppose dey happen don take backseat as political opportunism take front seat.
“See as INEC don fail to enforce law, security agencies dey target opposition and we dey see APC governors for Edo and Benue wey dey issue unconstitutional bans,” e dey complain. E even point to the wahala wey Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi central senator, dey face as example of how government dey silence women and marginalized group.
When e come to justice system matter, Zikirullahi no use soft hand as e talk say justice for Nigeria don turn to joke. “Justice no dey blind anymore; e don pack for corner dey watch as corruption and influence take over,” e dey vex. According to the auditor-general report, na N197 billion wey don waka commot from our treasury since we no dey hold any corrupt person accountable.
For economic matter, Zikirullahi shine light on serious inflation wey dey hit 20.4 percent, plus naira-to-dollar wahala wey don pass N1,500 and youth unemployment wey no fit show face below 40 percent. “This kain numbers dey show say Nigeria dey freefall economically. Over 130 million Nigerians dey live for serious poverty,” e talk, plus corruption wey dey make matter worse.
Zikirullahi so sabi talk as e paint the insecurity picture wey don dey get worse with Boko Haram, banditry, and kidnappings wey dey happen everyday. E no forget to mention the case of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu wey die as proof say our security and policing system don dey collapse. This matter dey call for urgent reforms wey include stopping premature campaigns and implementing Muhammed Uwais electoral reforms, plus cut down governance expenses.
“Silence na complicity. Nigeria no fit afford to drift more into chaos! The time for serious action dey now,” Zikirullahi dey shout. Na serious moment we dey face, “Democracy no be luxury; e be lifeline. When e die, na tyranny dey thrive,” e conclude, dey touch our heart as e end the speech.
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