Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has issued a strong rebuke of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, condemning the recent arrest, detention, and arraignment of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters, including underage children.
Atiku called out the federal government’s actions, describing them as acts of “wickedness” under Tinubu’s administration, referring to Tinubu as “T Pain.” According to reports, one minor reportedly collapsed in court during proceedings, an incident critics attribute to malnourishment and lack of proper care.
In a statement shared on social media, Atiku expressed his dismay, 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. This horrific scene, reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp, shows the low value this government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.”
He underscored the importance of protecting children’s rights, referencing Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which guarantees every child’s dignity. 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 also criticized the delay in the arraignment of these minors, noting that the children were detained for alleged involvement in protests that took place 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 stated.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s history as a former pro-democracy activist, Atiku expressed disappointment that a leader who once championed democracy and led protests is now suppressing those who speak out against the effects of his policies.
“Children, who are among the most impacted by these harsh policies, have every right to protest peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act. A nation’s humanity is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is disheartening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T Pain,” he added.
In closing, Atiku remarked, “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.”
