By Ishaya Ibrahim
Nigeria now has its version of former Malawian President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, says columnist and political commentator, Festus Adedayo.
Adedayo made the claim following the arraignment of 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters for treason.
The protesters face a possible death penalty after Nigerian authorities accused them of acting “with intent to destabilize Nigeria … and intimidate the president” during the protests. They pleaded not guilty and will remain in prison until a Sept. 11 bail hearing.
Commenting on the treason charge against the protesters, Adedayo tweeted that equating protest with treason reminds him of Malawi under Hastings Kamuzu Banda who ruled the country with iron fist.
He said: “Protest as treason: Hastings Kamuzu Banda (1898-1997) jailed and executed all voices of dissent against his dictatorship and personal rule. Nigerians, join me in welcoming Malawi’s Banda to Nigeria!”
