Connect with us
buhari must go

Columns

The Non Stop Human Rights Abuse Under Buhari’s Government

human rights abuse buhari government

By Ladesope Ladelokun,

If there is any shouting evidence that the vestiges of dictatorship still remain with us long after we bade military rule goodbye, it is the current travails of political activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

Since the beginning of the fourth republic on May 29, 1999, successive governments have worryingly engaged in practices that can best be described as antithetical to democratic norms. Put plainly, democracy has failed to end abuses that characterised the jackboot era of intolerance.

Who will forget the infamous Odi massacre and the disregard for a Supreme Court order that the Lagos State funds seized by the Olusegun Obasanjo-led federal government be released? Or the clampdown on media houses perceived to be enemies of former President Jonathan because of their criticism of his government for not adequately tackling Nigeria’s security problems?

Who will forget the seizure of newspapers and destruction of thousands of copies by soldiers during the Jonathan administration which was described by the presidency then as “isolated incidents of security checks”?.

In the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, nothing appears to have changed. Only recently, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, said Nigeria had gone back to the repressive and dark days of the Abacha era following the unceasing human rights abuses traced to the Buhari government. Also, Nigerians known to be too critical of the present government have either been detained or their whereabouts unknown.

An egregious example of the blatant disregard for human rights and dissenting views was displayed when Sowore was arrested and detained for calling out Nigerians to protest the failings of the Buhari government. He was later charged with treasonable felony and accused of insulting the president.

Rather than get agitated about the mention of revolution and protests, the Buhari government would do well to address the issues raised by the activist and his group. Except those who choose not to see the ugly realities confronting us on a daily basis, no one can deny that Nigeria is currently bedeviled by nagging security problems, grinding poverty, especially with Nigeria as the poverty capital of the world. Or is it the romance with individuals with various corruption allegations hanging over their heads who have now become new creatures by virtue of the fact they are now belong to the ruling party? Or is it the economy that is in a tailspin?.

Instead of breathing down the necks of Nigerians that demand good governance, the call to protest should be a wakeup call to the concerned authorities to address the aforementioned problems for the betterment of Nigerians.

Curiously, the same government that would not allow harmless protesters a breathing space has no issues with negotiating with bloodthirsty terrorists that have brought sorrow, tears and blood to many homes, justifying their action with the argument that it is a global practice.

In the run-up to the 2015 elections, General Buhari had promised to uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental human rights, claiming to be a reformed democrat.

Today, we are told national interest- as defined by the Buhari administration and the Department of State Services (DSS)- takes precedence over the rule of law. If we pretend to concede that the highlighted excuse for blatant disregard for the laws of the land is true, we can begin to understand why former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky are still languishing in jail. But what would be the excuse for detaining Sowore after a court has granted him bail?

Interestingly, the same government that was quick to obey the order to detain Sowore has suddenly developed cold feet when the court granted him bail. Ordinarily, Nigeria’s biggest opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should be vociferous about the worrying disdain for court orders not in favour of the Buhari government. But that is if it has the moral latitude for such. In PDP’s Cross River State, Journalist, Agba Jalingo, is in detention for a publication the government does not find friendly. Where then will the PDP derive the moral justification to call out the ruling party for its disturbing abuse of power?

Without any whiff of doubt, freedom of expression is under threat in Nigeria. And when a government justifies brazen disdain for court orders, it is not for any other reason but to kill dissenting voices. Little wonder Prof Wole Soyinka was quoted as saying the greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.

It is time men of good conscience in the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Labour Congress and all civil society groups rose by exploring all constitutional means to save the judiciary from imminent collapse and Nigeria from its gradual slide into anarchy.

About the author: Ladesope writes from Ladesopeladelokun@gmail.com

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Shol

    October 1, 2019 at 2:19 AM

    Please where’s Amanda the Buhari sympathiser to come and comment on here and defend her oga at the top

    • Pelumi Israel

      October 1, 2019 at 2:40 AM

      Shol thank you for this comment. This dictator called Buhari should be investigated for abuse of power. I’m even more pissed off with that corrupt Yoruba elder called Tinubu Agba osi who sold our birthright to the ineffective old man. Pls no body should wish Nigeria 59th birthday anniversary. There is nothing to celebrate about her

      • Shol

        October 1, 2019 at 7:02 AM

        I tell you, but u know d lazy youths will still celebrate. They will go out to adorn useless things. For them to rise and speak against their oppressors they won’t. They’re waiting for God to come down. Bunch of suffering and smiling lazy youths. Yet u’ll get some people hailing their oppressors making foolish excuses for them. Naija is gradually turning to slaves and slave masters. Everyone must watch their words or else.
        Tiny but will soon get what is coming to him since he’s chosen to abandon his people and dine with the 👿. We’ll all be there to see.

        You can imagine d audacity of the Arewa youths telling buhari to call Gani Adams to order because he’s saying yorubas will be defended with what they have and their cows getting striked.

        They feel they own the country. It’s simple sha everyone must go their separate ways cos those northerners are not ready to relinquish power in 2023. Who knows how many people will even survive till then with d level of penury in that country.

  2. Olaizo

    October 1, 2019 at 7:31 AM

    Yimu,
    So human right get mouth for 9ja when lot of looting dey happen during GEJ?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Columns

To Top
NaijaGists.com - Celebrity News, Business Ideas, Wealth Creation Tips And Tricks
error: Content is protected !!