By John Ogunsemore
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the government of President Bola Tinubu is using the machinery of state to silence its critics.
He said this has continued to happen despite the incumbent government itself being riddled with individuals who themselves are embroiled in scandals and investigations by both local and international authorities.
Atiku said this in a statement issued on Friday in reaction to the arrest and prosecution of former Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf.
Daily Sun reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Yusuf on Wednesday and arraigned him in court on Thursday on allegations of fraud.
However, Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the FCT High Court, Kuje rescheduled the arraignment to Monday, February 3 and remanded the defendant in EFCC custody.
Atiku said, “Two days ago, the nation was jolted by the arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf, a fierce and unyielding social critic.
“Though the charges against him have been festering since the previous administration, it is impossible to ignore the strong likelihood that his detention is politically motivated.
“The Tinubu government, despite being riddled with individuals who themselves are embroiled in scandals and investigations by both local and international authorities, continues to use the very machinery of the state to silence its critics. It weaponises these pending investigations to suppress all opposition.”
Atiku said it was absurd that Tinubu’s administration sheltered those under investigation but has continued to exploit state institutions to stifle dissent, all under the false pretence of combating corruption.
“Even to the most inattentive, it has become glaringly clear that Tinubu is not waging a war on corruption — he is waging a war on the opposition, manipulating the system for his own political advantage,” the 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said.
