By Cythia Eruotor
There is no gain saying that Nigerians are passing through untold hardship. The level of hardship since the administration of President Bola Tinubu which started in 2023 has made many concerned Nigerians to ask if Nigeria is in a democratic setting or military. Even in the days of the military government headed by: namely: General Mahammadu Buhari who later became President in democratic setting and the immediate past administration, General Ibrahim Babangida and of course, General Sani Abacha, Nigerians still had some reliefs amid the death of many but certainly, not hunger. The hunger in the land which is occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu has made many to commit suicide.
When Nigerians could not bear the torment, they took to the streets on the 1st of August to 10th August, 2024 to press home their demands through protest tagged“# Endbadgovernance”. While Nigerians were crying of hunger, the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) led by Joe Ajaero and its affiliated Unions held several meetings with the Federal Government to increase minimum wage of civil servants to cushion the effects the rising cost of living due to high cost of commodities in the market, transportation, among others.
Nigerians,including Human Rights organizations such as Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project(SERAP) have been calling through the media electronics: radio, television, the prints: newspapers, magazines and social media platforms on the President Bola Tinubu to reverse the price of petroleum products, which has given rise to these challenges, he remained adamant. Few days ago, in an interview with the Leadership of SERAP in Voice of Africa (VOA) Daybreak Africa, it has threatened to drag the Federal Government to court if it falls to yield to the demands of the people.
While Nigerians are grappling with the current economic challenges, on Monday, the DSS, on the order of the Federal Government, arrested the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero who was reportedly traveling to the United Kingdom for a summit in the Airport. It was reported that the Federal Government never gave reason(s) for the arrest. Angered by the attitude of the Federal Government, the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress gave it (Federal Government) an ultimatum from that moment to 12:00 midnight to release him or face the wrath of the Union.
Although, Ajaero has been released, as according to reports, he gained his freedom in the same day at about 11.10 pm, the action of the Federal Government has however sparked off reactions from Nigerians. Speaking to Bailout Magazine, the Chairman of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) Delta State branch, Comrade Jonathan Giama said what the Federal Government did by arresting the Labour Union Leader is wrong as it has no rights. According to him, the arrest was done with the intention to deny him to attend crucial meeting which will be to the benefit not only the organization but the country at large. He said, the Government was much aware he was going for an important meeting where he could possibly table with what Nigerians are going through to the international community.
Comrade Giama said, by the arrest, the Government further destroys the image of Nigeria to the whole world. His words:”They don’t have the right to arrest him because; they knew quite well that this man was going for a meeting – trade Union Congress where he can air the state of Nigeria to the world.” He however advised President, Nigeria Labour Congress to always put Nigerians including Human Rights organizations and Nigerian workers on the know before embarking on such journey. He also cautioned the Nigerian Police not to take the civility of Nigerians for granted.
On his part, the Chairman, Board of Trustee, Citizens’ Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative otherwise known as Human Rights Protection Congress, Amb. (Pastor) Edewor Egedegbe said, it is unacceptable and a slap on labour leaders in the country just as he said, it is contrary to the rules of democracy. According to him, in a democratic system, the freedom or the right of citizens is inalienable saying; any attempt for the right of citizens of the country to be siphoned will be lawfully resisted. He said, the agencies of the Government should not see themselves as above the law.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu travels abroad at will every time to court the relationship of foreign countries to invest in Nigeria adding that, it is not enough for Mr. President to travel abroad but should bring home(Nigeria) abroad practices and not to operate to intimidate the people with his obnoxious policies and programmes.
His words: ‘We can not in democratic system allow civil space to be shrunk by using all forms of intimidation and unfriendly practices by the Government and its agencies. It is unacceptable from us, the Human Rights. We are going to resist this and ensure that the civil space is not further shrunk than it is today.”.
Amb. (Pastor) Egedegbe therefore advised Nigerians to remain calm and resilient as Nigerians would engage the system and it will yield to the will and caprices of the people. His words:” My Message to Nigerians is that, they should remain calm. They should remain resilient. You know, any unpopular policies of Government will be resisted lawfully. l always use the word” Lawfully” because, any act of lawlessness, I am far from it.”
According to Amb.(Pastor) Egedegbe, the office of the citizens of the country is higher than the office of the President saying that, it is the citizens that elected the President that in turns, appoints people into Directorates and Agencies. He said by this, the Government must give the citizens their rightful place.
Not left out is the Director General, Concerned Delta Youths, Activist Kelvin Ejumudo. According to him, the arrest of the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero is witch-hunting and sabotage to humanity. He said, the action of the Federal Government is an infringement on his fundamental rights. According to him, the Government cannot by its act of intimidation shut the voices of the masses. He said, the NLC President has not done anything wrong that warranted his arrest as he was only traveling out of the country for a meeting. According to him, Nigerians have the fundamental human rights which include that of speech, movement, associations and others adding that, the people must exercise their rights. Activist Ejumudo also condemned the ransacking of SERAP’s office by DSS added that, the democracy which the country enjoys today came as a result of agitations anchored on protests by NADECO and people like Late Gani Fawehimi, Falana, and others adding that, the rule of law is sacrosanct – everybody must follow the rules of law. He said, the President must be cautious in the way he does things.
His words:” It is the protest embarked upon by people like Late Gani Fewehimi, Falana and others that installed democracy in this country today“
He charged Nigerians to stand their ground as regards agitation to better the country saying, Nigerians cannot be buying petrol for N1,350 per litre when there are three refineries of which, no one is working. His words:”A country of over 250 million people cannot be hoping on one person’s (Dangote’s) refinery. What happens to our refineries? Warri refinery, including Kaduna, Port-Harcourt are all there – lying fallow, enough is enough, we must call a spade a spade. We have given the President the next six weeks to fix the refineries or else there would be civil unrest. He can not kill us all, let him continue to victimize protesters”.
Activist Ejumudo condemned in strong terms the charging of those who protested #endbadgovernance protest with treason,saying it is a appalling and shame to the President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to him, it is the same shame to the Attorney General of the Federation, who, under his watch, such an act of impunity is done to humanity and he is silent about it. He concluded by saying that body would drag the Federal Government to court should it fail to hear the cry of the people.
On his part, a Leader Udu Community, Chief Tataunu Akporhobo condemned the act of arrest of the Labour Union leader. According to him, it is unfortunate adding that, it further showed that Nigerians are yet ripe for democracy. He said, by the action of Federal Government, Nigeria’s inadequacy is exposed to the international communities. He said, it shows the Government does not respect Nigeria Labour Congress. He however advised that Nigerians should be firm and stand their ground to achieve what they stand for.
Others who spoke to Bailout Magazine said the same thing. They all called on the Federal Government to do the needful and stop intimidating Nigerians in one way or the other.