In Defence Of Wrong Policy -By Adetunji Ayobrown

Truth has a way of clearing the air between groups so as to bring about better understanding, no matter the disagreement. Actually, whosoever that was able to outsmart the other by playing a stupid game, may win himself stupid prizes that are not palatable beyond his bargain. Misunderstanding can be better explained on a round table through matured statements and responses from parties concerned.

Why the President’s Media aides, Femi Adesina refused to see the obvious, that any Nigerian has the right to ask him questions, seat with or even disagree with him. Among his office schedules is to keep explaining policy of the government for as long as answers are required. But instead Adesina, with an attitude many condemned as he appeared on a live programme, irked by his opposition’s response, raised issues with the medium for pairing him with a fellow Nigerian, he termed ‘such a character’.

A unique position of such offers him unbiased objective advises for his principal and government to mediate best with all irrespective of gender, tribe or religion. If he (Adesina) can dare such on live program, who knows what his capable in private.

Like he doesn’t want to be erratic but put hostile is his words and actions. This reactions are often child-like and irritating, these best describe his behaviour towards citizens asking questions as it relates to their constitutional rights, in a democracy. And if you ask me, it only makes mockery of some of his explanations. The Presidency’s reactions are what many have described as insensitive, wondering why in the face of present hardship they are going through, the president or any of his aides could  be that callous.

What is the basis for the arrest of protesters if their activities were childish as suggested by the government through its spokesperson. One is wont to ask which group’s action can better be described and seen to be irritating? Why is the government lying to itself?

Speaking in good conscience, his counterpart explained why the protest. I defence of their constitutional rights, by expressing their grievances against the incompetence of the government in managing the security of the country and its failure to arrest the wave of corruption in the country.

When there is castration of democracy through calling it any other name, assuredly, sooner or later truth is bound to be revealed. Among the fundamental principles of democracy is the opportunity to demand for good governance, the absence of which can be petitioned. The right to self expression is entrenched in Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

There cannot be a true democratic environment worth the name without plurality of opinions and views expressed within the confines of the law, including protests and demonstrations. But I want to admonish Nigerians, trust me, we must not relent, this government seems not to understand these things, it seems bereft of the fundamental workings of democracy and the rule of law. A government that does not understand peaceful protest or what protest means, assuredly, such cannot appreciate it or believe in democracy.

Someone thinks according to his knowledge media ethics and professionalism, he ought to be notified in order to choose his opposition, perhaps so that he could decide whether to appear or not. But same ethics he forgot or refused to apply to his fellow country person.

Our laws allow for impeachment of any validly elected government for some misconducts, especially of a government that has woefully failed the citizens. Nigerians protest in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ogun and Kano states, during which no fewer than a hundred members of the group were arrested.

The president’s aide said the protests were carried out by only a few youths out of the 200 million Nigerians and so it means nothing. Perhaps he was expecting all Nigerians on street, same day and same time.

Except if he want to create his own reality. If it is right for the Presidency to talk down on young protesting Nigerians, while insisting that the protests were nothing but an irritation, is an issue that needs clarification. We believe that as he and his principal have rights to their individual and collective opinions so do other Nigerians.

We may not be far from the truth to say that the weapon to destroy and a tool to build are in the statements of such a public officeholder. Some even said the likes of Adesina found themselves in a position of power and became drunk in it in just after five years.

Downgrading a fellow Nigerian because one is opportune is too ridiculous and not acceptable from someone holding such an office. He even left words that henceforth, the TV station must let him know who he is up against when next he is invited to a programme. One is not surprised that Nigerians took him to the cleaners on social media.

Buhari, as a presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress also protested against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan of PDP in 2014, before he  became president and for his appointed aide, a reminder is apt and the knowledge that Nigerians are infuriated by his stance.

But whether he remains adamant or not, Nigerians don’t need Buhari to accept, but it is the truth that he too protested against Jonathan in 2014. The President’s spokesman thinks issues that led to the demonstration, such as insecurity, corruption, poverty and rights abuse were not peculiar to Nigeria and so the protesters were misguided.

Dictatorship behaviour has no place in democracy, if the clampdown on protests continued like this. Then the protesters demanding for the removal of this government is constitutionally right as guaranteed.

The President’s aide was emphatic that the government will do whatever is required and deemed right to maintain peace, which includes unlawful arrests as witnessed in the FCT and other states of the nation.

Alibi, an egotism turned inside out. Disappointing indeed were in the responses of many Nigerians. For a head of government or any of the principals talking down on Nigerians agony and sufferings, calling it a child’s play and irritation, it couldn’t be any short of that. When a regime seems dedicated to failure, it has aversion to criticism. Many expected Adesina to be a bit cautious in his response while addressing a sensitive issue like protest. Ask the Arab nations what insignificant protest manifested to. Such attitude belittle his office.

That Buhari is a dictator is barking aloud, many are of the opinion that this regime seem to be destined to failure hence its intolerance to criticism. Protests were disrupted by security operatives, peaceful protests demanding for good governance, poverty eradication, a stop to insecurity and many other issues pertinent to good governance.

How are Nigerians suppose to trust this government when its leadership don’t trust citizens who were out on peaceful protests, Nigerians are asking if truly the president is indeed an honourable man, a man of his words.

It is better if the citizens are for you than against you, Nigerians are the backbone of this government and once they are not in support, then who will accept his authority. The wind beneath the wings of this nationhood, if turned over it can be catastrophic.

Many documentations had shown how pattern of corruption had changed. The report said it all; it is only under a mismanaged democracy that wanton killings of innocents citizens can be of this magnitudes with little or no counter measures. Why is Buhari’s administration becoming more and more intolerant of dissent and failing to understand that no country ever developed by gagging free speech and expression.

Does it mean that with Buhari’s protested in 2014, he too was also an irritation. One can distinctly recall the many things said about Jonathan’s administration then, heavens did not fall. Neither do anyone put hundreds of thousands Naira as fines, not to talk of it in millions. It should be noted that a thirsty man is prone to drowning, democracy is a product of a sustained protests against autocracy and military rule.