A coalition of the US chapter of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), US Nigeria Law Group (USNLG), Africa United for Peace and select Nigerian lawyers and activists based in the USA has petitioned that country’s government, urging it to boycott the May 29, 2023 inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s new President. The coalition rather advised the US Government to sanction Tinubu for alleged money laundering, election crimes and human rights abuses.
The petition, dated May 23, 2023 and addressed to US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, was signed by E. Ogebe Esq. (US Nigeria Law Group); Lloyd Ukwu Esq. (NADECO USA); Ayo Ajayi (former NADECO UK); G. Ugo Esq. (Maryland USA); N. Uzo Esq. (Maryland USA); E. Ihim Esq. (Texas USA); E. Emenyonu Ph.D, LL.B (Africa United for Peace); and Dr Olangunju Esq. (Maryland USA).
The activists in the letter commended the USA’s recent announcement of further sanctions on individuals who undermined democracy in Nigeria.
“However, we ask that you publish the names of the individuals affected.
“This is for two critical reasons.
“Firstly, the deterrent effect is dubious if the nefarious actors are not aware of the sanctions imposed on them. It is thus helpful for them and the public to know for the furtherance of justice.
“Secondly, the list should be made public so that those who are unjustly sanctioned have an option for redress and those who were unjustly not blacklisted can be sanctioned,” the activists said.
They said that, rather than being patronised, “Tinubu who in particular should be a subject of the aforesaid sanctions for the following reasons:
“Election violence
“He was recorded on video declaring in London months ago,
“Political power is not to be served in a restaurant, it’s not served in a la carte, it’s what we are doing.
“It’s being determined to do it, at all costs. Fight for it, grab it, snatch it and run with it.”
“This London Declaration was graphically and murderously played out weeks later in Nigeria and especially in Lagos, Mr Tinubu’s stronghold, where voters were ethnically profiled beaten and even killed as attested to by international observers.
“Besides, your own US consulate in Lagos reportedly had to provide trauma counseling to staff who were subjected to brutalization, exclusion and discrimination during the successive elections in Lagos – making a mockery of your administration’s reference to Gen. Buhari as a “champion of democracy.”
“Within the past seven months, the US embassy evacuated from Nigeria because of a failed terror bombing in Abuja; US consulate staff were treated for political violence and discrimination in Lagos and an embassy convoy was ambushed in the east. Over 100 people were slaughtered in Benue state last month and another 100 in Plateau state this month. “Things are obviously not well in Nigeria worthy of any commendation whatsoever as the embassy itself has seen and experienced.
“Indeed, Observers have noted that these elections have been more violent and deadly than that of 2019. Nigeria is headed in the wrong direction developmentally and democratically totally underserving of any accolades.
“Tragically, more people were killed in Nigeria’s 2023 elections than in Gen. Buhari’s military coup 40 years!
s the official revenue collector for Lagos state and the Lekki toll plaza was reportedly managed by his son.
“A knowledgeable source alleged, “Tinubu owns the toll premises. Seyi his son manages companies within the premises. Seyi put off the billboards and removed the surveillance cameras. In anticipation of the impending massacre.”
“The army were invited by Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu who said “a small unit of the army was deployed”. According to notable lawyer and scholar Dr Sam Amadi, “That was a terrible failure of intelligence and administrative wisdom. There was no serious threat to peace….The murderous history of the Nigerian military should have informed the Governor of the likely consequences. If as the Army has claimed the Lagos Governor invited it to enforce the curfew and remove the protesters at the Lekki Tollgate, then the Lagos Governor is vicariously responsible for any deaths that occurred as well as any soldier who may have pulled the trigger.”
“From all accounts, progress was being made by the parties on the issues and there was simply no urgency, exigency or emergency that required escalation to military intervention that killed several innocent civilians.
“Despite all the efforts of the #ES activists to maintain a pristine peaceful protest, people characterized by the government as “hoodlums” unleashed violence aside from the official security forces’ assault.
“It is to be noted that the ruling party APC maintains an armada of thugs in Lagos that it used to disrupt elections with impunity in 2019 and again in 2023. Political thuggery in Lagos is a de facto institution and industry with reputed ties to Tinubu separate from the senseless massacre of peaceful protesters.
“In light of the foregoing, we request that you also restrict the visa of Senator Tinubu for his party’s role in the violent and deadly suppression of voters in Lagos state including the murder of a Labor Party Polling Agent at Trade Fair area.
“As the prime perpetrator and beneficiary of political violence in Lagos, Senator Tinubu should not be exempt from this policy.”
The coalition pointed out that if Tinubu “is sworn in as president and obtains a diplomatic passport, he can reapply for a US visa for official visits thereafter under relevant international exceptions for sovereigns attending the UN in New York.”
“Mr Secretary, it is crucial that the US does not approbate the travesty in Nigeria. Do not legitimize it by attending any inauguration of a candidate, prior to resolution of all legal challenges, as has been announced. The US cannot once again continue to position itself on the wrong side of history in relation to Nigeria,” the activists said.
Credit: NEWS EXPRESS
