Minors Trial: APC Chieftain Commends FG, Criticizes Atiku’s Comments; Proposes Almajiri Care Homes

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Dunukofia Local Government of Anambra State, Chinedu Ikeagwuonwu Klinsmann, has praised the Federal Government for its swift intervention regarding the recent arraignment of young #EndBadGovernance protesters on charges including treason.

Klinsmann acknowledged the directive from Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, which instructed the police to transfer the protesters’ case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further examination.

He emphasized that this action reflects the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to fairness amid public outcry, especially following reports of some suspects collapsing in court.

In the same breath, Klinsmann criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of politicizing the situation for personal gain.

He rebuked Atiku’s criticism of the government, suggesting that if Atiku had genuine concern, he could have used his wealth and past position to address the socio-economic issues affecting street children, particularly in Adamawa, his home state.

The APC chieftain described Atiku’s reference to the “wickedness of T-Pain” in criticizing the Tinubu administration as immature, unstatesmanlike, and inflammatory.

“Atiku’s expression of ‘horror’ regarding the arraigned minors is superficial,” Klinsmann argued, adding that Atiku’s influence could have been used to establish support programs for almajiri children, which might have mitigated some of the social challenges currently afflicting the region.

“If he (Atiku) genuinely cared about their plight, he should have used his position as Vice President for eight years and his considerable wealth to address the underlying issues that drive these children to the streets, at least in Adamawa, his home state.

“Many of these children are in detention today because they were on the streets during the chaotic #EndBadGovernance protest. Atiku has no moral ground to criticize others for failures he could have addressed. These young protesters are clearly almajiri children. If Atiku, with all his resources, had established an Almajiri Child Care Home in Adamawa, it could have set a precedent for others and perhaps prevented the region from becoming a hotbed of banditry and insecurity,” Klinsmann further remarked.

The APC chieftain also expressed disappointment with former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who criticized the government for focusing on prosecuting minors rather than addressing insurgency and banditry.

He argued that Kwankwaso’s failure to implement almajiri care programs during his tenure contributed to the issues now facing Northern Nigeria, and he claimed that the unrest in Kano during the #EndBadGovernance protest stemmed from unaddressed social and educational neglect.

“Kwankwaso must remember that the apple does not fall far from the tree.

“His failure to establish an Almajiri Child Care Home during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Kano State has significantly contributed to the high levels of youth violence, banditry, and insurgency in Northern Nigeria. Now, he seeks to deflect blame onto the Tinubu administration. It’s no surprise that Kano became the epicenter of the destruction that followed the #EndBadGovernance protest,” Klinsmann stated.

Klinsmann emphasized that the northern political elite—and perhaps all Nigerians—must recognize that almajiri children represent a ticking time bomb. “These children are largely uneducated, disillusioned, and living in desperate conditions with no hope for the future,” he said.

He pointed out that, while the protests were relatively peaceful in southern areas, protests in the North turned violent, often involving almajiri youths wielding weapons rather than peaceful signs.

The politician attributed the persistent almajiri crisis to economic hardship and poverty, driving parents to enroll their children in almajiri schools where, lacking basic care and supervision, they are susceptible to negative influences, including drug abuse and recruitment by extremists.

He also highlighted that some almajiri children are targeted by human traffickers, ritualists, and political manipulators, turning them into thugs and hired hands for various agendas. Klinsmann argued that Northern elites, despite their means, have historically neglected these children, deepening the crisis.

While acknowledging government efforts, Klinsmann stressed that education alone cannot resolve the issue. He proposed creating care facilities staffed by trained professionals to provide foster care and essential support.

He pointed to past administrations’ efforts, including Goodluck Jonathan’s almajiri education initiative and the Buhari administration’s plan for a National Commission on Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, though he noted these have yet to yield significant results.

According to Klinsmann, providing almajiri children with care homes could prevent future involvement in disruptive activities like the #EndBadGovernance protest.

He urged the National Assembly and Northern governors to collaborate on laws to protect these children, establishing supportive environments that can offer stability and guidance.

Klinsmann called on local and state governments to invest in community-based children’s homes, partnering with public agencies, NGOs, and private entities to develop long-term solutions.

Finally, he appealed to well-resourced individuals to consider philanthropic ventures aimed at uplifting almajiri children, warning that failing to address their plight could jeopardize the country’s future stability.