I posited that equity and common sense tell us that it’s unfair to make a rule and then insist that it should have retroactive effect. Similarly, two days ago, I attempted unsuccessfully to get a head of department at UNN to lift a punitive measure imposed on a student on the basis of a retroactive order. (Related: 7 Lessons On How Not To Live: The Story Of Abner -I) Another case he’s working on concerns the refusal of the University of Port Harcourt to release the results of hundreds of students (who ought to have been graduated) due to late registration, despite a court order that it should. Activist Deji Adeyanju is presently raising awareness about the incarceration of a lecturer and five students of Madonna University by the police at the instigation of the university authorities for criticisms they made on social media. ![]() Yet, however much Buhari is denounced openly or privately for his fascist administration, we tend to observe similar high-handedness in our public and private institutions, homes, etc. We must jettison the fear of speaking out if we would bring positive change in society. This is why the Buhari administration has been systematically silencing the opposition in the country by locking up vocal figures like the former PDP publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, for extended periods, or harassing them with interminable EFCC and police cases, as with the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and Senator Dino Melaye. ![]() They make people uncomfortable by confronting them with their misdeeds and demanding a turnaround. In fact, the tentacles of tyrants often go beyond their borders to deal with such people as seen in the case of Saudi dissident and journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed by Saudi government operatives in Turkey, where he was living in exile, on October 2, 2018.Īlso, I think that critical and forthright people are hated because they serve as the conscience of others. ![]() And where they are within the domain of the ruler, they are hounded and subjected to diverse kinds of persecution. When attempts to buy their silence fail, they are sometimes framed and maligned. People who are not afraid to speak up stir up the hornet’s nest against those in power and this may disrupt their corrupt enrichment and other unsavoury schemes. Screenshot of portions of a recent Reno Omokri post on Facebook Omokri has been conducting a one-man global campaign to secure her release. Sharibu has been held in captivity by Boko Haram since February 2018 after her school mates whom she was abducted with were set free because she refused to renounce her faith. He continues to defend the Jonathan adminstration with facts and figures against the unending blame game of the Buhari regime and has been championing the cause of the release of Christian teenager Leah Sharibu. ![]() Reno Omokri, ex-aide on new media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, is a good example. There are those who remain loyal to what they feel is right even when it cannot attract monetary gain. However, not all outspoken people are priming for a payday. Presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, and lawyer, Festus Keyamo, who are notorious as staunch defenders of the Buhari dictatorship readily come to mind in this respect. True, there are those who loudly declaim against societal vices and aberrations to gain relevance and then turn around to defend same once the pay is right. They are easily branded as money-hungry, popularity-seekers and trouble makers. Outspoken people are often hated and vilified. Why are so many people afraid of speaking out against evil and injustice in Nigeria? Why are we so averse to questioning authority? I think the answers are not far to find.
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