The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested one of the key figures in the ongoing EndBadGovernance protests, Michael Lenin.
The arrest occurred early Monday morning around 2 am at Lenin’s residence in the Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, confirmed the incident, stating, “Lenin has been arrested by the DSS.
He was picked up during a raid on his house around 2 am. He was arrested in the presence of his family. We are demanding his immediate and unconditional release.”
Lenin Criticizes President Tinubu’s Address
Lenin’s arrest follows his public criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent national address. Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, Lenin expressed deep disappointment with the President’s response to the protests, which have been ongoing for over three weeks.
“We wish to express our sadness and deep disappointment at the latest broadcast by President Tinubu, which is his first address to the nation on the #EndBadGovernance protests,” Lenin stated.
He highlighted the President’s failure to address the nation earlier, despite escalating protests and the violent crackdown that resulted in scores of dead protesters and assaulted journalists.
Lenin accused the President of justifying state violence and dismissing the protesters’ demands.
“Many had requested that the President should just address the nation when the protest was being mobilized and when it started to escalate, but most of us did not know that the President would only justify state violence on protesters and journalists while dismissing the demands of the protesters whenever he decides to speak,” Lenin said.
He further criticized Tinubu for being “out of touch with the masses,” stating, “This, plus the failed attempt to co-opt the progressive and radical language of the protests, only shows how much President Tinubu is out of touch with the masses.”
Call for Continued Protests
In response to Lenin’s arrest and the government’s stance, the Take It Back Movement has urged Nigerians to continue the protests.
“We, therefore, call on Nigerians to come out in large numbers to continue these protests on Monday until our demands are met.
The two-pronged approach of violence and propaganda has failed,” Lenin declared before his arrest.
Lenin also condemned the government’s tactics, saying, “The violence and repressions are just attempts to silence and control us, and the propaganda cannot sway or fool us.”
