Joe Ajaero’s arrest, treasonable felony trial of protesters, signposts unfolding dictatorship

How quickly do hypocrisy and Pharaseeism complete their cycle? How did self-proclaimed progressives and democrats quickly become the most serious threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights and freedoms?

 

Why are they so uncomfortable with dissent and protest? What is Treasonable about exercising the right to protest? Why are Tinubu and his supporters so dedicated to suffocating constitutional freedoms? Why are they chasing anyone who disagrees with them? Why?

 

Protesters were not harassed, harangued, or hounded to trial for treason during the 16-year tenure of those they referred to as corrupt conservatives. I can boldly say that Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan saw very sharp and deep critical opposition, protests, and marches, but no one was detained indefinitely; no one was held by the DSS in disregard of several Court Orders like the APC has done in Nnamdi Kanu’s case; no protesters were murdered in cold blood like the APC Government did in 2020 to EndSars Protesters, and very recently to EndbadGovernance Protesters; and no NLC President was harassed, harangued

 

This government has quickly forgotten that Nigeria and Nigerians strongly oppose dictatorship. They have forgotten how we opposed the military and fought against dragon rule, rulers, and decrees. They may be unaware of the people’s commitment to protecting and defending the freedoms that define democracy, and they will soon face the wrath of an impoverished and pauperised citizenry… let them continue, we will be watching.

 

After Protesters were tried for treason and Joe Ajaero was arrested for treasonable felony, who will be next? Perhaps for holding strong views and “reasonable writings, interviews, and views,” or for defending the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. After me, they will go after the media owners because Despots and Dictators always regard free press as an enemy… Sidon, look at your own peril. However, eternal vigilance is the price of freedom and liberty.

 

The invasion of the SERAP premises, the invasion of the NLC Labour House a few weeks ago, and the declaration of Comrade Lucky Obinyan as a wanted person for supporting and participating in the End Bad Governance Protest are all signs of an emerging dictatorship, but God Pass Dem.

 

Instead of dealing with the business of governance and fulfilling the promises of democracy, as the street cliche goes, “iyanga dey sleep trouble go wake am,” this government is constantly provoking the people. You have asked the people to fasten their seatbelts while you are having the time of your life, from a new Presidential Jet to new vehicles for government operators, from a new house for the Vice President to billions for Aso Rock entertainment, from massive Hajj subsidies to billions being stolen in your government, and from waste to kleptomania… and you said we should not talk, complain, or be juju be dat?

 

Is not it bad enough that people are hungry and angry as a result of the current administration’s poor and extremely bad policies? You have raised the power tariff, you have overseen the increase in fuel prices to between 850 and 1,200 naira per litre in less than two years, you have multiplied poverty while spending our collective wealth on unnecessary items, you are consumed by waste, profligacy, malfeasance, larceny, greed, looting, nepotism, bigotry, kakistocracy, kleptomania, and wanderlust, and you seek to silence and stifle dissent… una no fit. ‘When this jungle wey una dey build and incubate mature,’ the regrets would be yours.

 

It saddens me that those who fought for democracy and were detained multiple times by the military have become the most serious threat to democracy. It baffles me that those who have called the PDP the worst names are also doing the worst things. And it defies all logic and clear thought that so-called Progressives are openly harbouring the fangs of despotism and dictatorship, but this, too, will pass, and freedoms and liberty will triumph.

 

I would like to join every patriot, all concerned civil society and organised labour protagonists, and well-meaning freedom advocates in calling for Comrade Joe Ajaero’s immediate release, as well as the release of the young people on trial across the country for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests. I advise the government to address hunger and poverty and actively engage with the people because, as the street cliche goes, “threaten na water, action na blood.” You cannot impoverish a people while denying them the right to protest. No, you cannot beat a child while depriving him or her of the right to cry; doing so is invidious, impious, and impish, and the people will object.

 

This government should be interested in making friends, not enemies, but it is acting like a mad dog, attempting to prove the phraseology “whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad.” I pray that the DSS, the NIA, the Armed Forces, and the Police will focus on putting out the insecurity in our area, and that the expertise used to track down and arrest government critics and protesters will be directed towards reducing insurgency, kidnapping, and other forms of violence. And I pray that the sycophants who see nothing wrong with the current government’s numerous missteps will wake up from their lucre-induced stupor and advise the government to do the right thing. I pray. I pray.

 

I still believe in Nigeria, and I see a New Nigeria on the horizon.

 

I am CHUKWUDUMEBI.

 

Prof. Nwaokobia Jr.

Convener of the Country First Movement.