Charlie Boy, an iconic Nigerian entertainer and activist, is set to lead a coalition of human rights and pro-democracy activists in sit-out at the National Assembly in Abuja demanding for the return of Nigeria’s ailing President Muhammadu Buhari or a resignation by the president.
Today, Saturday, August 5, 2017 marks 90 days since President Buhari left the country to London for medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment. According to Nigeria’s constitution, President Buhari ought to take steps to leave office on account of ill health after 90 days. If he doesn’t do so, the National Assembly is empowered to declare him incapacitated and remove him from office.
In an e-mailed statement to The Trent on Saturday, concerned Nigerians announced that Charlie Boy would be leading the protest in Abuja. There will also a similar protest at the Abuja House in London, where the ailing president is reportedly lodging.
“Today is the 90th day since President Muhammadu Buhari left the country on a medical tourism in London,” the statement signed by Deji Adeyanju, the convener of Concerned Nigerians and John Danfulani, the secretary general of the group.
“We are writing to inform the general public, local and international media, civil society groups that, Mr. Charles Oputa, aka Charlie Boy and other prominent Nigerians will be leading the Monday daily sit-Out at the Unity fountain by 10am.
“The flag-off of the daily sit-out will commence with a procession from the Unity Fountain to Aso Rock by 9am prompt.
“The London leg of the protest which is scheduled to hold at the Abuja House, London by 11am (UK time) will be led by Comrade Chidi Cali, Barrister Bob, and several others.
“Other prominent Nigerians that have indicated interest in gracing the daily sit-out in demanding for President Muhammadu Buhari’s return or resignation from office are Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke and many others.”
Concerned Nigerians also noted the conspiracy of silence from notable personalities like Tunde Bakare, Wole Soyinka, Joe Odumakin and other who advocated for the impeachment of the late President Musa Yar’Adua when he was on a medical trip in the last days of his presidency.
“You would recall that President Muhammadu Buhari, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Professor Wole Soyinka, Dr. Joe Odumakin and several other civil rights activists were among those who called for the impeachment of late President Umar Musa Yar’adua when he went on medical tourism in Saudi Arabia but have remained silent now,” the statement said.
“In the words of Professor Wole Soyinka, ‘The man dies in all, who keeps silent in the face of tyranny’.”
