…Free Nigeria Movement calls for a boycott of Soyinka’s books, articles, events and all public engagements
A civil society organization known as Free Nigeria Movement has called for the sack and arrest of Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the 2023 presidential election.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Moses Paul, Convener of Free Nigeria Movement, who made the call at a world press conference on Monday, also called for the cancellation of the February 25 presidential election results.
According to Dr Paul, Nigerian youth represents the most abused demography in the “unlawful conduct of Prof Yakubu in the 2023 elections”, adding that the INEC Chairman toiled with the trust of the youths, their faith and reliance on the credibility of the electoral process.
“Hardly can any Nigerian alive deny that the outcome of the presidential election did not represent the will of the Nigerian people or amount to an abuse of their suffrage.
“We all know the truth,” Paul said, adding that the day Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared winner of the presidential election is a dark moment in Nigeria’s history.
The Free Nigeria Movement Convener disclosed that the movement has made its position clear in presentations to the governments of the United States, Britain, and country representatives of the United Nations, European Union and ECOWAS Commission.
He said: “The international community, especially Europe and America, must understand that despite its prescribed neutrality based on diplomatic ethics, will be the most affected if anything happens to Nigeria’s democracy. The weight of human energy that will mob your borders will be as never imagined.
“We frown at the rush by most of the diplomatic community to congratulate INEC’s “President – select”. This action will further embolden the plunderers of the will of Nigerians to hold on to their stolen victory. We, therefore, call for discretion forthwith”.
Paul stressed all victims of electoral violence during the elections must be compensated and that a truth and reconciliation committee should be established in Lagos State and other flashpoints of violence across the country.
According to him, “our country is not a military state and must not be allowed to run on the dictatorial pace of a junta”, adding: “we cannot let our country die however broken, scarred or traumatized we may be”.
He went further to say: “Whatever gold silence has amassed since February 25th, 2023, has lost its ethical value. Any attempt to further explore it would amount to dealing in blood as the cost is the lives, faith and hope of poor Nigerians who we represent today on this table”.
Paul called on Nigerian youths to leave the pages of social media and join in the street to demand for justice, equity and fairness. He, however, expressed hope that “the judiciary will do what is appropriate for our country in terms of our laws”.
On the recent comments made by Prof Wole Soyinka, the movement described them as most unfortunate and regrettable, while calling for boycott of his books, articles, events and all public engagements.
“The recent comments by Prof. Wole Soyinka are most unfortunate and regrettable. While we do not frown at his remarks because of any politicians, political parties or movements referenced, we do so because of his emotionless detour from the real issues of the election to pursue what appears as selective witch-hunt.
“It is on record that Prof. Wole Soyinka never condemned the shameless episode of ethnic profiling, instigation and hate speech by elements such as Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo), Bayo Ononuga, Femi Fani – Kayode, and a host of other atrocious persons. Or are their actions not fascist? Nor did he condemn Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu’s insistence on flouting INEC’s guidelines, the Electoral Act and his rush to declare a winner.
“It is sad that when it mattered that the voice of our dear Prof. whose books and thoughts formed the base of academic pursuit by some should breathe reason on the polity, he chose to stand with the oppressor in a burning house enjoying a rat chase. The Prof. should be a father to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, religion, party or social affiliations. However, he has betrayed the trust of many Nigerians who before now hold him in high esteem.
“We therefore call for the boycott of his books, articles, events and all public engagements that celebrate his literary achievements which as of today do not recognize the well-being of the ordinary Nigerian. We need role models and not sell-outs,” Paul stated.