Group decries wave of clampdown against activists, demands release of VDM, Edokpayi, others

The #EndBadGovernance Movement, Lagos chapter, has called on the federal government to caution security agencies against the arrest of activists on frivolous grounds

In a statement signed by Comrades Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Oloye Adegboyega-Adeniji on behalf of the #EndBadGovernance Movement Organising Committee, they fumed at the growing clampdown on freedom of speech and assembly under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Part of the statement reads: “The latest examples of this descent into despotism are the arrest and detention of kola Edokpayi by the DSS in Edo state last week for calling for a peaceful rally in support of Burkina Faso junta leader, Ibrahim Traore as well as the arrest of Martin Vincent Otse a.k.a Very Dark Man, a vocal critic, who was picked by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Similarly, Thomas Umar, the Gombe State Coordinator of the Take it Back (TIB) has been incarcerated since April 10 for making social media posts critical of the government.

“None of these individuals has committed any crime to warrant their arrest and incarceration. We hereby demand that they should all be freed unconditionally now.

“We also demand immediate freedom for all #Endbadgovernance protesters still in jail, as well as the dropping of all charges against Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Daniel Akande, Angel Love, Mosiu Sodiq as well as all #Endbadgovernance activists on trial for treason simply because they participated in the August protest last year.

“Freedom of expression and assembly are fundamental and constitutional rights available to all Nigerian citizens. We hereby call on the government to call the security agencies to order with a view to halting the blatant erosion of democratic rights and assault on civic space in the country.”