- During Nigeria’s military era — 1966-1979 and 1983-1999 — attacks on journalists and media houses were widespread, marked by severe repression.
- The military regime also witnessed the killings of journalists and activists.
Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, has condemned the federal government’s actions against the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The Department of State Services’ arrest of Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and the takeover of SERAP’s office, have drawn Atiku’s ire.
In a statement on his verified X account, Atiku expressed his deep concern, saying: “The current level of control exerted by the government surpasses even the darkest days of military rule.”
Atiku wrote: “The escalating attacks on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration are deeply troubling.
“The recent detention of Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, while en route to an official event, exemplifies this administration’s relentless efforts to silence organized labour.
“Just days ago, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a mistake. What if the outcome had been fatal?
“Now, the Tinubu administration has extended its reach to target @SERAPNigeria, a move that undermines our democratic principles.
Atiku urged Tinubu to focus security efforts on terrorists and bandits, rather than civil society.
“It is crucial that Tinubu and his security apparatus redirect their energy towards the actual perpetrators of violence – terrorists and bandits – who are causing immense suffering for Nigerians.”
Discussion about this post