By joshua OKAI DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ARRESTED ANKPA ACTIVIST TONY
Public analyst, commentator and activist, Comrade Usman Austin Okai, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Tony, popularly known as “Ankpa VDM,” reportedly arrested following his advocacy and peaceful protests over the deplorable state of roads and persistent electricity challenges in Ankpa.
Comrade Okai condemned the reported arrest and urged all those responsible for Tony’s detention to release him without further delay, stressing that peaceful protest and lawful expression of grievances are fundamental rights guaranteed to every citizen in a democratic society.
According to Okai, citizens must not be intimidated, harassed or victimised merely for speaking out against social conditions affecting their communities. He maintained that government and public authorities should engage peaceful protesters through dialogue rather than suppression.
“We will not fold our hands on this matter. The right to peaceful assembly, protest and expression is a fundamental pillar of democracy, and no citizen should be punished simply for exercising that right peacefully,” Okai maintained.