You Hold the Reins, Mr. President: Free Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi, by John Egbeazien Oshodi

President Tinubu, How Can You Justify Allowing the Detention of Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi for Speaking Out?

As the year draws to a close, Nigerians and the global community face a sobering reality: a government that speaks the language of democracy yet wields the tools of authoritarianism. Under your leadership, President Bola Tinubu, the plight of Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi does more than highlight individual injustices; it reveals a system that punishes dissent with calculated cruelty. These cases are not anomalies; they are symptoms of a broader pattern—a preference for silencing critics over addressing the underlying grievances they voice.

Nigeria is increasingly enveloped in a climate of fear and intimidation. The voices of citizens have been stifled, their courage muted by the ever-present threat of violent retaliation. The #EndSARS protests were a desperate cry against systemic injustice, yet they were met with bullets, teargas, and mass arrests. The Lekki Tollgate massacre of 2020 remains an indelible scar on the nation’s conscience—a grim reminder of the price paid for daring to demand accountability.

This atmosphere of fear is not accidental. It is a calculated tool of governance. Nigerians live with the knowledge that speaking out, even in the face of clear injustices, can result in arbitrary detention, physical abuse, or worse. Such realities are antithetical to the promises of democracy and justice. Instead of fostering trust and engagement, the government has chosen a path that deepens mistrust and alienation.

This is not the Nigeria that its citizens deserve. The essence of democracy is found in the freedom to challenge, to critique, and to demand better from those in power. But in a nation where these freedoms are met with repression, democracy becomes an empty promise, overshadowed by the harsh reality of oppression

Mr. President, this legacy of fear and control does not have to define your leadership. The choice to foster change and restore trust remains yours to make. The world is watching, and so are your people.

The Ordeal of Olamide Thomas

Olamide Thomas, a nurse and activist, became a prime example of your administration’s oppressive tendencies, President Tinubu, after daring to criticize government failures in a live-streamed outpouring of pain and frustration. Instead of addressing her grievances, your government chose to punish her. Arrested at dawn in Lagos and flown to Abuja, she was denied bail and left without medical care despite her critical health conditions. Her pleas went unanswered until her body could take no more, and she collapsed in custody.

Even then, the treatment she received was a reflection of calculated disdain. Her lawyer, Ernest Okpaga, who sought to advocate for her, was not only denied access but was beaten and detained alongside her. The delay in rushing her to the hospital was not mere negligence—it was a deliberate act of cruelty, emblematic of a system that dehumanizes critics rather than engages with their concerns.

Olamide’s ordeal is not an isolated case but a glaring indictment of how the police under your administration wield their power—not to protect, but to suppress. Her story is a stark reminder that in Nigeria today, speaking out is a punishable offense, one met with brutal efficiency by a government unwilling to tolerate dissent.

Dele Farotimi’s Unjust Detention

The persecution of Dele Farotimi, a respected lawyer and human rights advocate, further illustrates the dangerous trajectory of your leadership. Detained on defamation charges—a civil matter that has no business involving the criminal justice system—Farotimi’s arrest is a textbook case of power being weaponized to intimidate and silence.

This situation transcends questions of justice and fairness; it is about the broader message being conveyed. Under your administration, dissent seems increasingly unwelcome, with the mechanisms of the police and judiciary appearing to be leveraged to stifle opposition rather than to uphold the rule of law.

Defamation, Mr. President, is fundamentally a civil matter and does not warrant the involvement of police intervention or criminal detention. Yet, during this time, the legal system appears to be repurposed as a means for resolving political disputes and silencing critics. This approach undermines the core democratic principles Nigeria claims to stand for, distorting governance into a practice of control rather than service.

The actions taken against individuals like Dele Farotimi do more than harm the individuals involved—they pose a significant challenge to the nation’s commitment to free expression and the values upon which a democracy should be built. These are not just isolated incidents but symptoms of a broader erosion of rights that demand urgent reflection and redress.

Nigerians Call for Your Intervention

Mr. President, the voices of Nigerians are growing louder, urging you to act decisively. You have shown in the past that intervention is possible and impactful. When protesting children were detained in police cells under deplorable conditions, you intervened. When the Bitcoin entrepreneur faced undue adversity, you stepped in. You have demonstrated that your influence can rectify injustices. Now, Nigerians are asking: will you act again to ensure justice for Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi?

These are not ordinary cases; they symbolize a broader struggle for justice, dignity, and the preservation of democratic values. While interference in legal cases may seem improper, this situation calls for moral leadership. By addressing these injustices, you send a powerful message that Nigeria values fairness over repression and dialogue over fear.

Allowing these abuses to continue sends the opposite signal—that dissent will not be tolerated, and that the power of state institutions can be wielded to silence critics. The actions of the IGP, the police, and other agencies are ultimately under your authority. Whether through direct commands or indirect approval, the responsibility rests with you. The question is: what will you do with that responsibility?

You Hold the Reins, Mr. President

Mr. President, leadership comes with accountability, and the conduct of those in power inevitably reflects on you. The IGP and police officers do not act in isolation; their actions are perceived as extensions of your administration’s will. Even in your silence, a message is being sent.

Silence in the face of these troubling cases cannot be mistaken for neutrality—it risks being interpreted as complicity. Failing to openly condemn these actions or hold the perpetrators accountable sets a dangerous precedent. It signals to Nigerians and the global community that such oppressive practices are permissible under your leadership.

This is not just about Olamide Thomas or Dele Farotimi. It is about the principles of democracy and governance that should define Nigeria. Your decision—or lack thereof—will set the tone for how dissent, justice, and human rights are treated under your administration.

The time to act is now. Show Nigerians and the world that your presidency stands for fairness, justice, and democratic values. Rise above the immediate challenges and make it clear that oppression and abuse of power have no place in your government. Leadership, Mr. President, is about more than power—it is about the courage to do what is right.

Release Is Not Enough—The Pressure Must Continue

Even if Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi are released, the fight must not end there. Their cases are part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored oppression that cannot be ignored. The world must continue to shine a spotlight on these abuses.

Global human rights organizations must intensify their efforts, amplifying calls for accountability and transparency in governance. Social media campaigns should become a louder and more unified voice, not just seeking justice for Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi but advocating for all Nigerians subjected to a climate of fear and suppression.

International investors, too, bear a responsibility. They must reassess their engagements with a regime that continues to disregard fundamental human rights. Aligning investments with ethical practices demands that partnerships with governments accused of such abuses come under scrutiny.

Economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure should remain on the table as tools to drive systemic change. Public advocacy, both within and beyond Nigeria’s borders, must persist relentlessly, ensuring that issues of oppression remain in global focus until meaningful reforms are realized. The goal must be not only justice for individuals but the restoration of a system that upholds the dignity and freedoms of all Nigerians.

Expose the Violators

The individuals behind these abuses—whether in the police force, the justice system, or your administration—must be named and held accountable. Their actions cannot be allowed to fade into obscurity. The international community must know who they are and what they have done.

Expose them in human rights reports, on social media, and through global advocacy campaigns. Let their names be synonymous with the repression they have enabled. Only then can Nigeria begin to dismantle the structures that perpetuate this culture of impunity.

What Legacy Will You Leave, Mr. President?

As the year winds down, it is a time of reflection, Mr. President—a moment to consider the legacy you are crafting. Leadership is not defined by the critics silenced or the dissent quelled but by the courage to confront the reasons behind such criticism.

The voices of individuals like Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi, along with countless other Nigerians, echo the frustrations of a nation grappling with corruption, insecurity, and systemic failure. These are not voices to suppress; they are reflections of a yearning for change, for accountability, for leadership that listens and responds. Silencing them will not erase the discontent—it will only deepen the divide between your government and the people you serve.

History is watching, and so is the world. How will your presidency be remembered? As a chapter marked by fear and suppression, or as a time when justice and integrity prevailed? The answer rests with you

A Call for Justice

Free Olamide Thomas. Free Dele Farotimi. Let This Season Be a Turning Point.

Mr. President, this is not a plea for weakness but a call to demonstrate the profound strength that comes with compassion and true leadership. The detention of Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi is more than an injustice to two individuals—it is a symbol of a system that urgently needs reform. By choosing to release them, you signal a commitment to democracy, human dignity, and a Nigeria that values its citizens’ voices rather than suppresses them.

As you left Abuja for Lagos to embrace the spirit of the holidays on holy grounds, have you reflected on what this season represents? A time of renewal, forgiveness, and the reaffirmation of values that unite humanity. It is also a time to extend these values to all, including those who may disagree or critique. Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi, like countless other Nigerians, deserve this moment to be with their loved ones—to breathe free air, to celebrate, and to find hope in a season meant for peace.

A Season of Reflection and Action

Leadership is not measured by the ability to silence critics but by the capacity to address their concerns with wisdom and courage. Olamide and Dele’s voices reflect a broader frustration that cannot be ignored. Their words, though critical, are a mirror to the challenges of insecurity, systemic failure, and unfulfilled promises. To suppress these voices only deepens the divide between the government and its people, driving the nation further into fear and mistrust.

Mr. President, what better time than now to take a step toward unity and healing? Release Olamide and Dele, not as an act of political expediency but as a declaration that this government is willing to listen, to learn, and to lead with integrity.

The Legacy You Can Shape

This season also calls for introspection, a moment to consider what legacy you wish to leave behind. History will remember this presidency—will it be marked by fear and repression, or by justice and reconciliation? These decisions are not just about today; they will shape how generations remember your time in leadership.

Freeing these two activists is not just about justice; it is about demonstrating strength through empathy. It is about dismantling the systems of oppression that suppress voices and replacing them with a culture of dialogue and mutual respect. It is about building a Nigeria where no one fears reprisal for speaking out.

The Time to Act Is Now

Mr. President, the year is drawing to a close, but the opportunity to redefine its legacy is still within your grasp. Do not let 2024 end as another chapter weighed down by suffering, mistrust, and division. Let this moment be the turning point—one where your leadership embraces reconciliation, hope, and courage.

Rise to this occasion. Be the leader who transforms criticism into collaboration, dissent into dialogue, and mistrust into unity. Show that your presidency values every Nigerian’s voice, even those that challenge you.

Let your legacy endure not as one of fear but of hope and honor. Allow Olamide Thomas and Dele Farotimi the freedom to return to their families this season, just as you have sought solace in Lagos. Let them, too, find peace, justice, and renewal. The time to act is now. The opportunity to lead with compassion and strength is yours. The world is watching. Your nation is waiting.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic/clinical psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at ISCOM University,  Weldios University and Walden University.