Nigerians have taken to Twitter to demand the release of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s ex-aide, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, who is reportedly held for criticising the President, Major General Buhari (retd).
Yakasai, whose username on Twitter is @Dawisu, was earlier sacked by the Kano State governor for criticising the president over the insecurity in the north was reportedly arrested afterwards.
The abduction of over 300 schoolgirls by bandits from a school in Jabgebe, Zamfara State, forced Yakasai into admitting that Buhari had failed Nigerians, adding that hypocrites in the north would have called for impeachment amidst the height of insecurity if the sitting president was a non-northerner.
His comments were met with the sack, his second for committing the same ‘offence’ in the face of the Kano government, as well as an arrest that has since been criticised by thousands of Nigerians.
Taking to the popular microblogging site, the hashtag #freedawisu has gathered 39K tweets at the moment as it currently sits top of the most discussed topic on Twitter NG.
According to Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, arresting Yakasai and leaving bandits’ solicitor, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi to roam freely is questionable.
He said, “how can you arrest @Dawisu for criticising clueless and inept @MBuhari, but you leave Sheikh Gumi, who told Bandits and killer herdsmen that it is Christian soldiers who kill Muslims, thereby putting Christian lives at risk. Buhari must #FreeDawisu.”
Dawisu’s arrest left @adeyanjudeji “…so angry. So, people can no longer criticize Govt in their own country but you guys can be meeting terrorists and giving them VIP treatment.”
@hauwa_farouk also called for the release of Yakasai with #FreeDawisu which led by the comment – “Dawisu is contributing his part to make democracy work in Nigeria. A patriotic Nigeria sacrificing his liberty for the poor masses. He is a true comrade! Where your loyalty lies is what matters! His loyalty lies for humanity! We have tolerated enough, not more.”
Former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, @YeleSowore condemned the arrest of Yakasai. He said, “Lawless DSS has arrested @dawisu for freely expressing his views regarding the failure of the @MBuhari’s govt. The DSS lazy leadership can’t help Nigerians facing insecurity but only ready and happy to pounce on Nigerians critical of the failing regime #BuhariMustGo.”
Daily Trust columnist, Gimba Kakanda also joined the discussion and condemned the government for wasting resource ought to be used to tackle insecurity on Yakasai.
“The resources that ought to be disbursed for tackling burning national issues like banditry has unfortunately been wasted in abducting @dawisu in Kano and transporting him to Abuja. For what, I ask? What’s this madness for God’s sake? To intimidate government critics?” he asked.
Aminu Saira, a filmmaker, said voting Buhari was a waste of resources with the kind of democracy he’s running. “If this is what means by DEMOCRACY in Nigeria, we regret wasting our resource to mobilize, promote and vote you in. Your regime is useless if our security and freedom of speech could not be guaranteed!”
Nigeria 🇳🇬is a jungle now. Jonathan words are powerful. Thunder Fire You wey vote Buhari, including Garba Shehu.
Thank you Aisha Yesufu for standing for the truth. #FreeDawisu pic.twitter.com/kMvLZ1rd2F
— Mummy Talent💧 (@Mummy_Talent) February 27, 2021
This time around we will storm the street and give the government 0 peace if the don’t #FreeDawisu as soon as possible
We are not animals
This is democracy for godsakeWe won’t allow buhari’s administration take our freedom away from us
— THE KING HERSELF. (@_hafsat_paki) February 27, 2021
If the DSS can arrest a profile like @dawisu for calling a govt out for failing in its primary duty to secure lives and to resign, a govt led by his own party, then what about me, an ordinary poor citizen. Be cautious, none of us is safe in this country. #FreeDawisu
— My Deen My Swag 💫 (@AM_Saleeem) February 27, 2021
