In a disturbing development, the Nigeria Police Force has arrested Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate for Ondo State, and Patrick Owolabi, a member of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement.
The arrests occurred in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the 10th day of a nationwide protest against hunger, hardship, and what protesters describe as bad governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Ajayi and Owolabi were participating in the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, which has seen Nigerians across the country expressing their dissatisfaction with the current economic conditions and governance through peaceful demonstrations.
The protest, which started as a nationwide hunger protest, has entered its 10th day, with citizens demanding urgent reforms. The TIB leadership has condemned the arrests, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of both Ajayi and Owolabi. In a statement on social media platform X, the group criticized the police’s actions, calling them “unfortunate and shameful.”
The TIB’s post read, “It’s unfortunate that the @PoliceNG is yet to learn. The continued clampdown on peaceful #EndBadGovernceInNigeria protesters is a total shame. We condemn the unlawful arrest of Ajayi Wizeman & Patrick Owolabi in Ondo State and we demand their immediate and unconditional release!” Earlier reports indicated that Ondo State residents took to the streets on Saturday for a one-million-man march, marking the 10th day of the protests. The demonstrators carried banners and placards with messages such as “#We are hungry. End Bad Governance in Nigeria,” reflecting the deepening frustration among citizens. . The protest, initially peaceful, has turned violent in various parts of the country, including the Nigerian capital, due to the heavy-handed response from police and other security agencies. Journalists and media professionals covering the events have also been targeted in the crackdown. As tensions continue to rise, the demand for accountability and better governance remains at the forefront of the protests.