PICTORIAL: ‘The Battle Line Is Drawn’, Says Ex-Minister After Visit To Ex-NHIS Boss In Prison
Following a recent visit to the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Yusuf Usman, in Kuje Custodial Centre, former Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, declared that the battle line for defending freedom in Nigeria had been drawn. This statement comes in the wake of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, issuing a seven-day ultimatum to activist Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed regarding her claims about President Bola Tinubu’s alleged corruption.
Dalung, alongside Comrade Mahdi Shehu, visited Prof. Usman on February 4, 2025, in the wake of the EFCC’s arrest of Usman, who faces charges of corruption during his tenure at NHIS. Following the visit, Dalung posted on Facebook, expressing his concerns about the government’s handling of dissent, labeling it as a “civilian dictatorship.”
Dalung noted that, despite being detained, Professor Usman was in good spirits and more concerned about the state of the nation than his own situation. He further shared his resolve that no amount of intimidation would deter them, referencing the current challenges faced by outspoken individuals like Naja’atu Mohammed.
He called on citizens to support the #freeprofusman movement and attend court sessions if possible, emphasizing the need to stand together against what he views as a crackdown on freedom of expression. Dalung concluded that while there may be a high price for freedom, the struggle for a new Nigeria remains worth the cost.
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