Democracy & Governance
#EndSARS Protest: The Use And Abuse Of Right -By Aliyu Danladi
The Nigeria Police Force had succumbed to the public outcry and scrapped the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). What is remaining to be asked is why the protesters have not vacated the streets despite their demand for ending SARS has been met.
ENDSARS campaign, started over a week ago, had swept across social media platforms, finding voice in the person of celebrities, activists, and dignitaries in Nigeria. The campaign had generated universal appeal similar to the campaign started in the United States of America following the death of George Floyd.
As a response of a distressed population to the brutality and ruthlessness of a particular unit of the Nigeria Police Force, exemplified by murders without trials, intimidations and harassments, the ENDSARS campaign has successfully resulted in the scrapping of the unpopular unit, thus signifying the power of popular opinion.
That in itself, the amplification of public voice, has marked an exercise of a range of rights that respect the essence and spirit of Democracy. What is more, the Nigeria Police Force had succumbed to the public outcry and scrapped the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). What is remaining to be asked is why the protesters have not vacated the streets despite their demand for ending SARS has been met.
The campaign has recently deviated from a public display of civil right to an opportunity for some unscrupulous elements to cause chaos and disorder. In a recent video clip, a mob could be seen pelting stones at passing vehicles. The prolonged protest in the absence of its initial premise alone poses a potential threat to National order.
Protesters in some cities especially Abuja have caused a blockade in some roads. It has been reported where passengers have missed their flights because they couldn’t pass through the blockade.
Little did the protesters know that in exercising the civil right of protest they were abusing a natural right of movement. And a natural right is more fundamental than a civil right. Therefore, for the respect of the right of others, protesters will do good to leave roads unblocked. Others have a right to move.
Aliyu Danladi is a student at Bayero University, Kano, where he participates in Students’ Unionism. Born in Gombe state, he writes poems, literary reviews and articles related to politics and national issues.
