Aminu: NANS demands apology, compensation from Aishat Buhari

By Damilola Simeon

Democracy as a practiced system in Nigeria is not only anchored on election and wearing of agbada by the leaders. It is dependent on civil liberties as freedom of speech, rule of law, equity and every other principles needed for the respect of human economic, social and political right. These principles, are what we consider as the fundamental basis for demanding the release of the unjustly victimized Nigerian student, Aminu Adamu Muhammed, who had only said nothing but the truth which is visible to all. 

As a result of solidarity actions of NANS, Civil Societies and other notable Nigerians, the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, shamefully succumbed to pressure and withdrew the baseless case she had instituted against Aminu. This is coming after days of detention, denial of freedom and assault of all kinds. We need not to imagine the mental and physical distress the whole family of Aminu must have been thrown into in the last few days knowing what it means to have a case against the ruling class in Nigeria as a common man. 

Expectedly, Aisha should have responded to Aminu her source of income and good living apart from the government purse. She should have equally revealed to us that she has not only been enjoying the wealth of our nation but also contributing to the social development of Nigeria in her little capacity. But she went ahead and displayed unnecessary abuse of power and privilege of being a wife of a president. This single action of Aisha Buhari has shown to us that she is no different from the cabal surrounding her husband which she has always pretended to be exposing in the past. It means she was only crying out then because she was not enjoying enough from the table. A single criticism, and she showed her true character as an intolerant, power intoxicated person. 

Politically, she could have displayed her intolerance timely but wrongly. As people in power and seeking re-election for their party, it is expected that they conduct themselves in manners that will encourage the people to support them. This abuse of power can also be said to be deliberate in sending message to Nigerians that their party is not deserving of people’s vote. As southerners, it is our concern that this single action of Aisha Buhari is a threat to the ambition of the Presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is a Southerner. We do not want to start suspecting that the recent hike in price and scarcity of fuel, economic meltdown and other signs of bad leadership are an indirect ways of creating stumbling blocks for the Southern aspiration to presidency especially that of the APC candidate. 

In conclusion, we consider that the meeting of the President with Aminu after his release from detention is not enough. Madam Aisha Buhari should apologize publicly in at least four daily newspapers. Aminu and his family should be compensated for the inhumane condition the first family had thrown them into in the last few days. These would not redeem the image of the First Lady surely, but will only establish the dividend of democratic and responsible leadership needed in the 21st century. 

A luta Continua 

COMR. KEHINDE Damilola Simeon (Da Osmos)

NANS OGUN JCC CHAIRMAN