Southern Kaduna and the right to free speech

Editor’s note: The right to free speech in any democratic nation in enshrined in the constitution and it allows the people to express themselves concerning the government without fear of retribution.

In this opinion by NAIJ.com’s guest writer, Buchi Obichie, she notes that the essence of free speech allows the people to advocate for the betterment of the country and if taken away can be dangerous.

The case of Audu Maikori

Recently, the Chocolate City boss, Audu Maikori, was arrested by the DSS for certain tweets concerning the Southern Kaduna massacres which turned out to be inaccurate. Audu had initially tendered a public apology when he discovered that he had been given false information by his driver, but this did not prevent the DSS from arresting him. According to tweets from Oby Ezekwesili, the Kaduna State Governor had stated that Audu had gone ahead to release the tweets even when he (El-Rufai) had personally reached out to him against such actions; and thus, he had to face the consequence. In any case, Mr. Maikori was subsequently released from detention (now awaiting trial); but the episode has since led to a discussion about just how far the security services would go in defense of the government, and just how much free speech from the citizenry, can be tolerated by the powers that be. To reiterate, Mr. Maikori’s tweets turned out to be quite inaccurate, but the singular action of his arrest, even after a public apology, has heightened fears that free speech may no longer be so free!

The freedom of speech is one of the bedrocks of democracy. Its vital importance is underscored by the fact that as a principle, it is propagated by the most democratic nations, and it is protected by the United Nations. In states where there is a crackdown on free speech, autocrats and despots thrive. When people are arbitrarily detained for daring to voice out their opposition to policies of the ruling government, it inevitably erases the systems through which checks and balances are maintained, and produces a puppet society where the leader is King! Is this where Nigeria is headed?

Lately, the tentacles of the DSS seem to be spreading to encircle those who voice opposition to the Federal Government- especially over the issue of the Southern Kaduna massacres. While we understand that this subject is a very volatile and delicate matter which does have the capacity to incite people with different religious beliefs and tribal affiliations against one another, we cannot also in ALL good conscience, sweep the matter under the carpet and refuse to speak out- as long as our facts are correct- when obvious wrongs are being committed against a segment of the populace within any state- even when they constitute a minority.

Nigeria as a nation belongs not to any one tribe or religion…it belongs to the collective whole- Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers, and even atheists. As long as one is a Nigerian citizen, he has equal rights as any other who pledges allegiance to the colors of our flag. A situation whereby a section of the populace feel that the (wrong) actions of another group are (seemingly) protected by the powers that be, does not bode well for the propagation of any notion of inclusiveness on the part of the government; and as such, the onus lies with the government to publicly disprove and rebuke with concrete words and actions, any such acts, whenever they occur, and bring wrongdoers to book…period!

The Southern Kaduna region is largely dominated by a Christian agrarian populace which has just as much significance as other group within the state. When their numbers are being violently cut down by a barbaric horde in what seems to be a means of systematically eradicating them, we would not be wrong in assuming that something of an ethnic cleanse may be underway! And then, the matter is further compounded when those in the upper echelons of government do not rise and “call evil by its name”. It also further fans the flames of discord, if those who voice out any opposition to the ‘deafening silence,’ are then targeted by the security agencies, and detained! Do Fulani herdsmen have more rights than other groups of Nigerians?

There may be fears in various quarters now due to the arrest of Mr. Maikori, but it is important to keep stating that advocacy- based on accurate facts- is by no means a crime! All we want is peace; but there can be no peace without justice, and justice is seldom gotten when good men choose to remain silent!

This land belongs to ALL of us, and we ALL have a right to speak out for the protection and preservation of every Nigerian life. If Christians are being murdered, we must speak out…and if Muslims are being murdered, we must speak out too…same goes for other groups. We must speak out in aid of any group(s) of people, when their right to life is being threatened. And we must also hold our leaders accountable for the preservation of every Nigerian life…putting none above the other…afterall, they swore oaths in this regard!

This is Nigeria; the greatest black nation on the face of the earth, comprising of diverse peoples, tribes and religions. Each one of us must speak out in defense of each other- if and when any one of us is facing an unjust threat. Mr. Maikori may have gotten his facts wrong, but he did acknowledge his mistake publicly; but there are countless others who speak up and out based on concrete, verifiable information. We must make sure their voices are not silenced due to this now very palpable fear of the authorities. Because the day our right to free speech is completely taken away from us- heaven forbid- then we might as well pack our bags and go live in North Korea!

Buchi Obichie is a writer, analyst and poet who blogs frequently at 1812global.blogspot.com

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Naij.com.

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