LND appeals on Tinubu to release detained minors from Northern Nigeria
The League of Northern Democrats (LND), a coalition dedicated to the unity, justice and progress of Northern Nigeria, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the minors who are currently being prosecuted by the federal government on account of their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
A statement by the convener of the league, Dr. Umar Ardo made available to this medium on Saturday expressed deep concern over the plight of the children.
“We appeal to Your Excellency to consider their compassionate release, invoking the values of justice, mercy and statesmanship that your office represents.
“These children, driven by their experience of the harsh economic realities in the nation, demonstrated to express their plight and the distress faced by their families and communities. Many of them are under the age of 16, with some even as young as 10 years old.
“While their participation in these protests may have been unorthodox, we submit that their actions reflect the innocence of youth grappling with conditions that no child should have to endure. Their call, however rudimentary, was a plea for a brighter, more just Nigeria – one in which they might have an opportunity to grow and thrive,” Ardo said.
Ardo noted that as a nation committed to the rule of law, it is vital that we uphold due process, especially in cases involving minors, noting that while the children now face charges that carry heavy penalties, we strongly contend that their youthful actions, shaped by hardship, do not constitute a credible threat to society.
“Moreover, Your Excellency, we must recognize that these children come from
impoverished backgrounds in a region that gave the most support in your
election. For these children, the hardship they endure is a consequence not of
malice or intention to disrupt the state, but rather of deprivation, hunger and
a desire to simply be heard.
“The conditions these children have been subjected to during detention have
been particularly severe, resulting in marked malnutrition, illness and profound psychological distress. That they have been detained for more than three months is itself a tragedy that does not serve the interests of justice or align
with our nation’s moral principles. Sending children – already vulnerable and voiceless – to detention in such conditions stands in contrast to the principles that define us as a compassionate society,” he said.
Ardo added that it is morally, legally and politically wrong for the president to invoke such harsh measures which is antithetical to democratic and human rights principles.
“In this appeal, we respectfully invoke several arguments for your kind
intervention on behalf of these children:
“Moral Argument: These children represent our collective future. They are
minors with limited understanding of the implications of their actions.
Detaining them for extended periods in adverse conditions is a violation
of their fundamental rights as children, leaving scars that could take a
lifetime to heal. In a nation where family and community are our bedrock,
this situation calls for a compassionate response;
“Legal Argument: As per the Nigerian Child Rights Act, every child is
entitled to protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Article 4 of
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which
Nigeria has ratified, emphasizes that detention should be a last resort
and for the shortest time possible. These young citizens are not guilty of
acts warranting prolonged and punitive detention. Their voices, although
expressed in protest, should not be equated with criminal intent but
understood as cries for help amid hardship; and
“Political Argument: The Northern region, which stands among the most
disadvantaged economically, played a decisive role in electing your
administration. These children symbolize the untold hardship faced by those who continue to support and believe in your leadership. An act of clemency towards them would send a powerful message of empathy and connection to the very communities that need it most, enhancing trust and unity,” Ardo added.
Ardo appealed on the president as leader and a father who, through personal and national experience, understands the resilience and strength needed to
overcome hardship.
“A compassionate act in this instance would exemplify the.character of leadership the nation so desperately needs at this time, underscoring your commitment to a prosperous, united and just Nigeria.
“We earnestly urge Your Excellency to intervene, requesting that these minors
be released on compassionate grounds to return to their families. Such an act
would not only uplift the spirits of countless Nigerians but also strengthen the ties between the government and its people, especially those who look up to
you with hope and faith in your ability to restore their dignity and prospects.
“May Nigeria’s future be marked by a commitment to justice, compassion and
understanding, and may your tenure be remembered for such acts of kindness
that unify and heal our great nation.
With utmost respect,” he added.
