Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the arrest, detention, and arraignment of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters.
Atiku condemned the federal government’s actions, stating that even underage children have not been spared from what he describes as the “wickedness” of Tinubu, referring to him as “T Pain.”
Recall that a minor collapsed in the courtroom during proceedings, a situation that critics attribute to malnourishment and inadequate treatment.
In a statement on his X platform (formerly Twitter), Atiku expressed his outrage, saying, “A disturbing video of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has come to my attention. The horrible scene, reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp, once again reflects the low value this government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.”
He emphasized the importance of protecting children’s rights, referencing Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which guarantees the dignity of every child. He quoted the Act, stating, “Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be subjected to physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; nor shall any child be subjected to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”
Atiku criticized the delay in the arraignment of these children, noting, “The children are being prosecuted for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests that occurred between August 1 and August 10, 2024. If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the dehumanizing conditions they have endured during their detention.”
He expressed his disappointment that a leader who once fought for Nigeria’s democracy and led protests is now demonizing those who peacefully protest against the impacts of his harsh policies.
“Children, who are among the most affected by these policies, have every right to protest peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act. A nation can be assessed by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T Pain,” he said.
Atiku concluded by stating, “The disturbing conditions under which the accused children were brought to court only reinforce the justification for their participation in the protests in the first place.”