The Continuous Detention Of #Dunamis5: A Manifestation Of An Evilly Autocratic Rule -By Joseph Aliu

It’d be recalled that on the 4^th of july,2021, a group of 5 persons who had confidently and consciously worn T-shirts with the inscription “BUHARI MUST GO”(borne out of series of societal malady) at the premises of Dunamis church were arbitrarily and unlawfully arrested and have since remained in detention. Why?, simply because they have decided to amplify their voices and their take on the current maladministration of the country.

The names of the conscious and patriotic group of 5 includes; Larry Emmanuel, Anene Udoka, Henry Nwode, Ben Manasseh and Samuel Gabriel.

Of course when you beat a child, it is expected of the child to cry. How do you beat a child and tell the child not to cry?, it is most asinine.

The country is in a state of putrefaction and has gotten to a nadir. The group of 5 have come out openly to cry because of the beating of increasing unemployment, consistent insecurity, police brutality, high-cost of living and retarding and retrogressing economy by coming out boldly with inscription of ‘BUHARI MUST GO’ worn T-shirts.

This Gestapo manner of arresting law abiding, civil and well-meaning citizens reminds one of the locus and evilly-autocratic days and rulings of Adolf Hitler and the cowardice of baby-tyrants.

By virtue of the Nigerian extant laws, the actions of the group of 5 falls within the purview of their Fundamental Rights which are well protected and guaranteed under the 1999 constitution with 2011 amendments, the regional charters and other international Laws.

To embark and carryout civil actions for a better working and effective society, that works for all- EGALITARIANISM, are human rights.

To now arbitrarily, whimsically and capriciously arrest citizens who have come out to say NO to the evils in the society and to deny them their freedom is another way of crippling and stifling the fundamental rights of the citizens to speak freely on issues that are perturbing to the growth of the society as constitutionally guaranteed under section 39,1999,CFRN.

The worn “BUHARI MUST GO” T-shirts by the group of 5 is another way of expressing and telling the general public that they are tired of the many evils that comes with the current administration.

Rightly and coherently quoting the decisions of the court in IGP v. ANPP “The right to freedom of expression and assembly are the bones of any democratic government”.

From the above, if the peoples cannot freely, without fear of being arbitrarily arrested, comment and express their feelings on current issues in the society, it suffices to say that we are not in any democratic government and the democracy we claim to run is a sham for it is in contradistinction with the submission of the courts for being void of freedom of expression and assembly.

Protests at Dunamis Church Abuja

That persons will be unconscionably, unlawfully, illegally and unconstitutionally arrested and detained tells that there is a reign of an autocratic rule that is wholly evil in nature and tends towards tyranny.

Following the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson, an ex American president “The rule of law is enthroned when the government fears their people, but when the people fear their government, it leads to tyranny”.

God forbid that we be slaves to the ones we elected and start to beg for what is rightfully ours.

We cannot continue to, even though the Nigerian state is more of a banana republic, live in the hobbesian state where life is solitary, poor, brutish, nasty and short.

Sovereignty remains with the people by virtue of section 14(2)(a),1999, CFRN.

The Buhari led administration must be told in very emphatic and categorical words that ‘THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE SHALL BE THE SUPREME LAW’

At this juncture, the best option is for the government to listen to the voice of reason and unconditionally release the #Dunamis5.

The era of feudal lords and serfs is long gone in our political history and no amount of intimidation or oppression can deter a people determined to put an end to an administration that works totally against the good of the general public.

The era of impunity is over.

Aluta continua.

Joseph Aliu is a Human Rights Activist, Good governance advocate and can be reached via 09029265474, 09085773212, aliujoseph085@gmail.com