If you've visited the Nigerian social media space, especially Twitter in the last 24 hours, you must have heard of the recent arrest of social media activist, Salihu Tanko Yakasai popularly known as Dawisu. This isn't Dawisu's first time getting into troubles for airing his opinion on the Nigerian political system. His last utterances on President Buhari sometimes last year led to his two months suspension.
He was reportedly suspended after voicing out against the president's silent reaction to the EndSARS protests that lasted for several days. Quoting his tweet; 'I’ve never seen a govt with zero empathy like that of Buhari, So many times when his people are going through difficult time and expect some sort of shoulder to reassure them that he is in charge but he failed to do so.'
Two weeks after he was suspended for posting outlandish comments against the administration of President Buhari during #EndSARS protests, he was reinstated back to his former position.
Dawisu didn't stop halt the criticism. In February 2021, just after the kidnap of over 300 school children in Zamfara State, he took to his Twitter to lament the way things were going in Nigeria in terms of security.
According to him; 'clearly, we as APC government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number 1 duty we were elected to do which is to secure lives & properties. Not a single day goes by without some sort of insecurity in this land. This is a shame! Deal with terrorists decisively or resign.'
A few hours after the post went viral, Yakasai got arrested in his residence by security agents. The news of the arrest was confirmed by Dawisu's father, Alh. Tanko Yakasai. According to Alh. Yakasai, his son who has since been moved to Abuja was apprehended in his neighbourhood on his way to the salon.
About Salihu Tanko Yakasai
Salihu Tanko Yakasai was born on the 25th of October to the family of Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, an elder statesman who served as the Commissioner for Information in Kano during the second republic.Between 1953 and 1986, he (Alhaji Tanko Yakasai) was one of the most persecuted politicians in the history of Nigerian political activism, he was subjected to arrests and detentions on ten different occasions: four during the colonial era, four in the First Republic, and two during military regime: one each under the (1983 to 1985) regime of General Muhammadu Buhari and (1985 to 1993) regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
Salihu Tanko Yakasai on the other hand was, until his recent arrest, the Special Adviser to Governor Abdullah Umar Ganduje on social media. According to a statement from Kano State's Commissioner for Information Muhammad Garba, the former aide was sacked because he 'failed to differentiate between personal opinion and official stand on matters of public concern,' adding that 'he could not be allowed to continue to serve in a government he does not believe in.'
Dawisu, as he is popularly called is a journalist by profession and has worked for top media companies, including CNN where he worked as a freelance reporter. The Harvard Alumni is also a writer for both the YPolitico & Ynaija online media platforms.
Dawisu co-founded Makuba Center for Traditional Arts & Culture, a centre focused on promoting the Hausa – Fulani traditional arts, crafts, history and culture. He is also a founding member of the National Organizing Secretary of Nigeria Youth Forum as well as the Kwandala Foundation, where he served as the pioneer Publicity Secretary.
Since 2000, Dawisu has been active in the political space and has contested for various offices in Nassarawa Local Government. He is a founding member and state coordinator of the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF).
He had in the past, served as the secretary for the Kano State ANPP publicity committee.
Salihu Tanko Yakasai is happily married with 3 children.
Thanks for reading along, before you leave, also check out the biography of award-winning Kannywood actor, Ali Nuhu.
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