Despite these challenges, Yusuf's message conveys appreciation for the support he has received.
Prof. Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has vowed that he will never be silenced by President Bola Tinubu’s dictatorial and autocratic leadership, which is forcefully suppressing any legitimate opposition to his misrule of our fatherland.
He stated that he felt the haunting presence of the state stalking him since he started publicly criticising the policies of President Tinubu’s government that have been inflicting unbearable hardships on Nigerians.
"I know it to be true that security agents have been physically and electronically tracking my family and I on the orders of this government," he said.
Yusuf, who expressed his profound gratitude to those who have shown support and concern amidst his current challenges, maintained that his legal team will vigorously defend him against what he described as "baseless recycled falsehoods" the EFCC charged him with, to which he pleaded not guilty to all.
Yusuf, who was remanded in prison custody over alleged fraud, gave a detailed background of his recent travails in a statement on Wednesday titled: "Abduction And Detention By The EFCC And Incarceration in Kuje Prison Will Never Silence Me".
As a hematologist and bone marrow transplantation specialist, Yusuf was appointed Executive Secretary of the NHIS in 2016 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. However, during his tenure, he faced numerous suspensions and investigations.
Yusuf's letter comes after he was arraigned by Nigeria's anti-graft agency, before Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court for alleged fraud, specifically for the unauthorised payment of N6.8 billion to himself and staff.
Despite these challenges, Yusuf's message conveys appreciation for the support he has received.
He said, "My family and I are deeply touched and remain eternally grateful for the overwhelming support from people all across the country and abroad.
"I would like to assure all Nigerians that I will never be silenced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dictatorial and autocratic leadership, which is forcefully suppressing any legitimate opposition to his misrule of our fatherland."