END SARS Article: Irresponsibility of the Presidency - Obiwuru C. Rex

 

IRRESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESIDENCY

Aside freedoms of choice, speech and press, the beauty of democracy is also found in government's explicit, unalloyed concern for the lives and welfare of the governed. Sadly, this very virtue of democracy seems to be a mirage in the Nigerian state. Considering the on-going protest in Nigeria and the wanton massacre of some peaceful protesters at Lekki toll plaza, the international community and some individuals of candid reputation have expressed concern.

The U.S. Secretary of State - Mike Pompeo on behalf of President Donald Trump, for example, extended condolences to the victims of the violence and their respective families and loved ones. He also vividly condemned the use of force by the military against the unarmed protesters and called for 'immediate investigation' and prosecution of those force men responsible for the killing. Joe Biden, the ECOWAS, Hilary Clinton, the EU, etc. also clamoured for same.

Nevertheless, and shamefully, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after many days of persuasion and disturbance by the citizenry to address the nation on the on-going crisis, emerged yesterday evening, 22 October 2020, only to play blame game. He was busy heaping blames on hoodlums and thugs, accusing them of hijacking the protest, rather than talking of bringing the culprits of the massacre to book.

As if that was not enough, Mr. President jumped into reminding the nation that he is not a weak entity. Moreover, who argues or questions his potency amid this national brouhaha? This, indeed, is the height of irresponsibility! In short, looking at the responses of the outside world and the speech of Mr. President last night, I come to doubt whether we have a core, truly democratic president, or a Pharoah!

Writing with a clear conscience devoid of religious and ethnic sentiments, and harbouring no bitterness whatsoever against the President, I re-echo the request of Mr. Pompeo: Condemn the massacre by the military and carry out immediate investigation and prosecution of the culprits! SHOW TRUE CONCERN!

 

#EndSARS

#End_Police_Brutality

 

Obiwuru C. Rex

 

About the Writer

Obiwuru C. Rex is an independent scholar with several books and articles to his credit. As a youngster who works and yearns for a better Nigeria, Rex supports the protest afoot to end police brutality in the country.