“I appeal once again to President Bola Tinubu"

Your Excellency,

For the second time in the past two weeks, I have to write you this letter. As I write this, I recall my first memories of you as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a young journalist, you were a joy to all. The annulment of the June 12th Presidential elections demonstrated the best of your capabilities as a democracy promoter. They have spent money and time fighting the military. We spent years in exile in constant fear and anxiety.

Fast forward, sir. We returned to Nigeria in 1998.

They contested the 1999 Lagos State gubernatorial election and quickly won. Since then, they have had total control over the state known as the California of Africa, and perhaps the sixth richest economy in Africa. Lagos is a country in itself…I want to let you know that before you became the President of Nigeria, you served as President of Lagos for 24 years. Unfortunately, things have not been easy for Nigerians (except the privileged ones) since you achieved your lifelong dream. Let me be honest with you, sir. You are the one who caused all this. They did not know that a country is much more complicated than a nation.

It is sad and embarrassing that fighters for democracy are now saying that Nigerians will not be allowed to gather in the streets and demonstrate. This was something you and I enjoyed during the time of military rule at home and abroad.

After participating in peace efforts in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gambia, I will never support anarchy. But as our intelligence agencies claim to have uncovered the sponsors of unrest, I am confident that any potential threat can be contained and nipped in the bud. These people should be arrested as soon as possible.

Please, sir, go back to your former civil rights friends and ask for their support. Take this opportunity to test the strength, security architecture and combat readiness of our security agencies. Ignore the advice of the hawks in your team. They have nothing to lose, since they are primarily benefiting from others losing their lives for them. Resist the temptation of a full-blown dictatorship…

As I carry this cross, I pray for you...