Former SGF Lawal condemns Tinubu for trying to stifle press, detaining Emefiele, Bawa.

Former SGF Babachir Lawal has criticised President Bola Tinubu for his attempt to stifle press criticism and for keeping Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in detention.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Lawal addressed Felix Morka, the APC spokesman, challenging him on his previous claim that Peter Obi, not Tinubu, emerged victorious in the 2023 presidential contest. Lawal stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had changed since its formation in 2013/2014.

In addition to the APC turning into an Islamic party, the former SFG claims that Nigerians are denied the right to free speech.

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The former SGF criticised President Tinubu’s administration for the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission’s threats against journalists, calling them disrespectful and intolerable.

“We imagined the APC would be a national party that would carry along all the different socio-political and religious tendencies of the nation when we founded it way back in 2013/2014,” the speaker stated.

“We took care back then to ensure that the party’s leadership and membership represented all of the nation’s religions and tribes.

“We aimed to create a party that would welcome every Nigerian.” The idea that the National Chairman and Secretary would not come from the same tribe, religion, or geographic area was based on this.

Regretfully, the APC has now changed its name to the Islamic Party of Nigeria. The National Working Committee (NWC) is composed of some members from the South and all Muslims from the North.

“Now that Kadmul Islam is the national chairman and a Muslim is the national secretary, the party just needs to change its name, which might not take too long.

“A Nigeria that benefits all is what we seek.” We envision a Nigeria where everyone is free to follow their goals in peace in the pursuit of prosperity and a good life, and where even sycophants can relate.

“Like you and I are doing now, we want a Nigeria that ensures citizens’ right to free speech. Should Bola Tinubu assert that he opposed Abacha on the grounds of democracy and freedom of expression, it is disgraceful and intolerable for NBC to intimidate reporters while he is in charge.

“It is unacceptable to use political parties as a means of intimidating and harassing people who are voicing their opinions in public,” the CBN governor and the chairman of the EFCC should not be kept in custody for lengthy periods of time without being tried.

“I’m confident that no Nigerian is relishing the sense of shame and embarrassment that permeates our country as a result of the constant disclosures about the identity and status of our “President”; nor is it comforting to know that the majority of Nigerians no longer have access to a daily meal; nor is it comforting that we are unable to attend wedding ceremonies in Imo or Zamfara States because of insecurity.”