The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the arrest and continued detention of Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Professor Yusuf has, in recent times, emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the current administration, calling for good governance, transparency, and accountability.
His arrest according to the National Coordinator of CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi is not only a blatant act of political persecution but also a clear attempt to intimidate opposition and suppress free speech.
Charanchi in a statement he issued on Thursday, said while the CNG recognises that the EFCC or any agency has the mandate to invite or arrest any person suspected of wrongdoing, it rejects politically orchestrated silencing of people that are critical to the government whereas many corrupt people are being shielded and pampered by the same government.
“The CNG finds it deeply troubling that an administration that once thrived on opposition politics and enjoyed the freedom to criticize previous governments is now resorting to draconian measures to stifle democratic engagement. Such acts of political suppression set a dangerous precedent and threaten the very foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.
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“We cannot afford to regress into an era where dissent is criminalized and opposition voices are forcefully silenced through harassment, intimidation and arbitrary arrest.
“The CNG demands the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Yusuf. We urge the government to focus on addressing the pressing challenges facing the nation, rather than expending energy on silencing critics. Democracy thrives on dialogue, debate, and the free exchange of ideas, not on the suppression of dissenting voices.
“We also call on the Tinubu administration to uphold democratic principles by allowing a free and open space for constructive criticism and alternative views. If the government continues on this path of repression, it will only fuel greater resistance and deepen the growing mistrust between the leadership and the people.
“The CNG calls on civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to take note of this dangerous trend and hold the government accountable for its actions that are deployed to destroy Nigeria’s democratic successes”, the statement added.
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