Drew Povey, the Briton accused by the Nigerian government of inciting insurrection, has strongly criticized the government’s handling of recent protests, urging them not to treat such demonstrations as acts of treason. Povey, who is also known as Andrew Wynne, made this appeal following his recent clash with Nigerian authorities.
Povey’s remarks come in response to allegations that he was involved in orchestrating a network of sleeper cells aimed at toppling President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The Nigerian Police Force had previously raided Povey’s bookshop at the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), sealing the premises.
On Monday, the Nigerian government arraigned ten individuals who participated in last month’s #EndBadGovernance protests in Abuja. The charges against these protestors included allegations of collaborating with Povey to destabilize the country and incite a military takeover of the government.
In a statement issued on the letterhead of his bookshop, Povey condemned the government’s actions, asserting that “PROTEST IS NOT TREASON – release all the detainees!” He criticized the government’s response to the protests, describing it as repressive and unjust.
Povey highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that during the protests, approximately 40 people were killed by security forces, with thousands arrested and many still detained. He expressed particular concern for the ten detainees now facing serious charges, including treason, mutiny, and levying war against the state.
Among those arrested was Eleojo Opaluwa, a former colleague of Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC. Povey claimed that Opaluwa had been detained for over four weeks with no substantial evidence against him. He criticized the government’s handling of the case, alleging that the charges were based on flimsy or fabricated evidence and that detainees were being held under inhumane conditions.
Povey’s statement also criticized the Nigerian Police for their alleged mishandling of the case, including claims that police officials had orders not to release the detainees despite their lack of evidence. He recounted the story of Yomi, an employee of Iva Valley Books, who was reportedly tortured and mistreated by police.
Povey called on the NLC to extend its protective measures beyond its president to safeguard other officers, members, and the public. His comments underscore growing concerns about the Nigerian government’s approach to managing protests and addressing dissent.
