‘Protest Not Treason,’ Briton Reacts to FG Allegations of Attempt to Overthrow Tinubu

British national Drew Povey, also known as Andrew Wynne, has strongly condemned the Nigerian government’s claims that he is involved in plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Povey, who operates a bookshop at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja, has called on the government to refrain from treating protests as acts of treason.

In a recent statement, Povey responded to accusations that he had established a “network of sleeper cells” to destabilize the Tinubu administration. The statement, issued on the letterhead of his bookshop, criticizes the government’s approach to recent protests against bad governance and hunger, asserting that the government’s response has been excessively repressive.

Povey’s bookshop was raided and sealed earlier this year, and he faces charges related to aiding #EndBadGovernance protesters. The statement claims that the government has resorted to violence and arbitrary detention, with at least 40 people reportedly killed by security forces and thousands arrested.

Povey’s statement highlights the plight of the detained protesters, some of whom face severe charges like treason and mutiny despite flimsy evidence. It notes that the detainees include Eleojo Opaluwa, a former NUEE organizer and Vice Chair of the NLC in Kogi State, who has been held for over a month with little justification.

The statement also points out inconsistencies in the case against the detainees and allegations of mistreatment, including claims that some detainees were beaten and tortured. Povey calls for the release of all detainees and urges the NLC to extend its protection to all affected individuals.

The Nigerian government has yet to respond to these allegations.