IN THE WAKE OF THE RECENT ARREST OF SOWORE
In a democratic society, power belongs to the people and people have the right to hold their leaders accountable if things are not working. One of the ways people Express their feelings and displeasure in a democratic setting is through non violent peaceful protest. The citizens of Nigeria have that fundamental human right of free speech and movement. Therefore it is an overreach of power and an abuse of office to arrest anyone who is mobilizing a protest to challenge the government, holding them accountable and calling them out on the sad issues going on in our dear country. Few years back, Tuface was arrested for something like this and now its Sowore. We are not in a military government. Those in power should listen to the voices, cries and tears of the people. Those in power should be open to constructive Criticism rather than intimidation and threat of whoever calls them out. People are suffering tremendously in Nigeria. If it takes peaceful protest to get the attention of the leaders, so be it. Sometimes the people need to react and shake those in power just to let them know they are not fools or dummies. Nigeria belongs to all of us not just for the elites. Nigeria is boiling right now, people are angry and frustrated and believe you me, at some point, if care is not taken, it will get to a breaking point. I see a lot of indifference and I don’t care attitude on our leaders and it is unbecoming of a leader. A leader is there for the people. Arresting people they disagree with is not the issue. Dialogue, listening to the masses, finding a lasting solution to the many problems facing us as a nation are pathways to true and lasting peace in our country.
