Andrew Wynne, a British citizen also known as Drew Povey, has alleged that the Nigerian government was unsettled by the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
Wynne expressed regret that instead of addressing the protesters’ demands, the government has opted for repression.
In a statement titled “Protests, Not Treason” issued on Monday, Wynne criticized the government’s response, noting, “The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. However, the government turned to repression rather than addressing the people’s demands. Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other security forces, thousands were arrested, and many remain in captivity.”
Wynne also highlighted that in Abuja, authorities have targeted alleged protest leaders and organizers. “Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny, and levying war against the state,” he added.
Wynne pointed out that Eleojo Opaluwa, the first person arrested, is a former colleague of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero and serves as Vice Chairman of the NLC in Kogi State. He has been detained for over four weeks without substantial evidence. “His family was told he had received a WhatsApp message from one of the other alleged leaders, but this was after his detention,” Wynne said.
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According to Wynne, the ten individuals charged with organizing the protests do not know each other well. “The ten detainees have been accused of conspiracy to commit a range of serious crimes. However, they barely know each other. Five of them may have been members of a WhatsApp group set up to organize the protests in Abuja, but the other five are unknown to these comrades. They might include some flag-waving protesters from Kano added to extend the range of the organizers,” he explained.
Wynne also claimed there is discord between the government and the police. “There appears to be a conflict between the government and the police investigating this case. The head of the Intelligence Response Team told the detainees’ lawyers that he would have released them but had orders from above not to do so. Consequently, the police have developed what seems to be a ludicrous case involving the owner of Iva Valley Books.”
He refuted claims that he had left Nigeria, saying, “They are claiming that I traveled under the name Andrew Povich, a Russian-sounding name, and that I have now left Nigeria for Russia. Neither of these claims is true.”
Wynne also condemned the treatment of Yomi, who works for Iva Valley Books, describing it as “inhumane.” “Yomi was arrested in front of his wife and three-year-old daughter. The police confiscated all their phones despite appeals from his wife. He was imprisoned illegally, held in chains, beaten, and tortured for three days, with his only involvement being the design of protest flyers.”
Wynne called on the NLC to extend its protective efforts beyond its president. “The NLC has shown it can protect its President. It now needs to extend this protection to its other officers, its members, and the general public,” he said.
The NLC had previously announced plans for a general strike to safeguard Ajaero from arrest and detention. Despite the tenuous evidence against the detainees, they face severe penalties unless the trade union movement intervenes.
On August 7, the NLC condemned the “human rights violations perpetrated by security forces against peaceful protesters.”
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