Human rights, freedom, and democracy are never granted. We have to fight for them together. Today, I am here to say ‘NO’ to dictatorship and the flagrant disregard for our Fundamental Human Rights, ‘YES’ to democracy; ‘NO’ to slavery, ‘YES’ to freedom; ‘NO’ to police state, ‘Yes’ to self-determination, equality and human rights for all.
The harassment and arrest of the veteran Nollywood actor by the Nigerian Army is not only unnecessary, unconscionable and unwarranted but PATENTLY illegal.
The actor has not committed any criminal offence known to law. Wearing a cloth with colours similar to the Biafran flag or wearing the Biafran flag itself is not defined as an offence under any written law in this country.
The right to self-determination is a collective right expressly recognized globally and a binding principle in international law which refers to peoples’ right to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Irrefutably, self-determination is the foundation of democracy.
The Nigerian Government and Army should stop ridiculing itself before the international community. Let’s even say his actions warrants an arrest, is Nigerian Army now the Police? The Government and it’s agents should remember that it is IPOB that was proscribed, not Biafra. The IPOB is a movement, while Biafra is an idea which every citizen has the freedom to subscribe to.
For the avoidance of doubt, I believe and subscribe to the idea of one and indivisible Nigeria. But it’s a fact beyond dispute that a significant portion of the Nigerian population still sees Biafra as an idea.
And history has shown that no government can kill an idea that people are emotionally attached to by deploying the military or by harassing, intimidating, and arresting citizens who express their ideas or thoughts on self-determination peacefully like Mr. Chinwetalu Agu. Equally, history has also shown that it’s not only wrong and illegal but impossible to realise an ideology that’s pursued by killing and maiming people, burning police stations, and destroying properties.
Though Mr. Chinwetalu has been released, the Army should apologize to the actor and pay him adequate compensation for subjecting him to this unwarranted and illegal harassment and public humiliation.
We have become so used to lawlessness, impunity and blatant abuse and disregard for our fundamental human rights that we now tolerate and condone all sorts of violations and nonsense thrown at us by the very people we elect to represent and serve us.
This is no time for wearing the shallow mask of manners. When I see a spade I call it its real name, a spade, and not a gardening tool.
I am speaking out about Mr. Chinwelatu Agu because injustice was done to him. I cannot sit idly by here in Kaduna and not be concerned about what happens to a fellow human somewhere else. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial, and shallow “not my friend or community” idea.
Human rights, freedom, and democracy are never granted. We have to fight for them together. Today, I am here to say ‘NO’ to dictatorship and the flagrant disregard for our Fundamental Human Rights, ‘YES’ to democracy; ‘NO’ to slavery, ‘YES’ to freedom; ‘NO’ to police state, ‘Yes’ to self-determination, equality and human rights for all.
The right to self-determination and personal dignity is a fundamental right for everyone, and no one should be harassed or arrested because of his or her ideas which are not criminal. The pursuit of freedom, liberty, and happiness is a God given right and the hallmarks of a thriving democracy and must not be denied anyone.
Let’s #React. Let’s #StandUp4HumanRights. Let’s #KeepTruthAlive. Let’s #EndImpunity
Muhammed-Bello Buhari is a Human Rights Activist based in Kaduna embbuhari@gmail.com
