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 recent arrest, detention, and arraignment of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters.
Atiku condemned the actions of the federal government, highlighting that even underage children have suffered under what he described as the “wickedness” of Tinubu, whom he referred to as “T Pain.” Reports from Vanguard indicated that a minor collapsed in court during the proceedings, which critics attribute to malnutrition and inadequate treatment.
In a statement on his X platform (formerly Twitter), Atiku voiced his outrage: “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 horrifying scene, reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp, once again reflects the disregard this government has for the lives of vulnerable citizens, particularly children.”
He emphasized the necessity of safeguarding children’s rights, referencing Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which guarantees the dignity of every child. “Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person,” he quoted, “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 arraigning these children, remarking, “The children are being prosecuted for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place between August 1 and August 10, 2024. The fact that they are only being arraigned three months later raises concerns about the dehumanizing conditions they may have faced during their detention.”
Expressing disappointment, he noted that a leader who once advocated for democracy and led protests is now condemning those who peacefully protest 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’s treatment of its most vulnerable citizens speaks volumes. It is disheartening that even underage children are not exempt from the cruelty of T Pain,” he said.
Atiku concluded by stating, “The appalling conditions in which the accused children appeared in court only justify their reasons for protesting in the first place.”
