[b]CASTING aside all pretentions to the democratic ideal of freedom, the Goodluck Jonathan Administration is blossoming into a fully-fledged dictatorship. Opposition party governors have been hounded and stopped from travelling. Even the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, tasted the bitter pill of harassment from soldiers in a supposedly democratic government.

In a poignant, but ominous replay of the jackboot of a military dictatorship, Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State were prevented from travelling to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, to attend a political rally organised by their party — the All Progressives Congress — two days to the governorship election of June 21.

Amaechi was allowed to land his jet in nearby Ondo State, but his motorcade was intercepted at the Ekiti/Ondo border by soldiers reportedly acting “on orders from above.” They prevented him from completing his journey by road. The aircraft was also later prevented from flying out of Akure. Similarly, Oshiomhole was stopped from flying out of Benin Airport en route to Ekiti. The military officials who stopped him also claimed to be acting “on orders from above.”[/b]

Conversely, three top government/Peoples Democratic Party officials were alleged to have been given access to the Akure Airport the same day. These untoward developments suggest that Jonathan is treading on dangerous territory. Lessons from our past are instructive: no matter how brutal governments had been, the country had always overcome their repression. Riding on the back of a tiger to obtain victory could turn out to be very costly.

These acts of interdiction by the government are illegal. They are clearly unconstitutional. The 1999 Nigerian Constitution, in Section 41, expressly guarantees the right of movement to every Nigerian. These happenings are a sign of the growing dictatorial tendencies of the Jonathan government. If highly-placed Nigerians can have their movement curtailed, then ordinary citizens would become easy prey for the overzealous soldiers.

Rivers State Government was spot-on in its comments, saying, “Not even in the worst days of the abhorrent military dictatorship were things done this brazenly, with citizens being denied their fundamental rights of free movement, free assembly and free expression, all because of the desperation of the ruling party to win elections at all costs.” The statement by Edo State was also illuminating. It said, “These acts (preventing opposition governors from campaigning) are illegal and definitely not in line with the Electoral Act…”

It is more worrying that Jonathan has failed to speak out against the civil rights infractions of the military. He seems unconcerned as the country under his government slides into a Gestapo state.

Early in June, the police had taken over the palace of the Emir of Kano, preventing the newly-appointed Emir, Lamido Sanusi, from operating from there. Not only that, opposition governors and party chiefs who flew to Kano to witness Sanusi’s inauguration were barred from attending the ceremony when the military placed bans on flights in and out of Kano. It was a move that reeked of political vendetta against Sanusi and the opposition APC, which controls Kano, following the defection of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Sanusi, the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was suspended from office last February after alleging that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, did not remit about $20 billion to the Federation Account over an eight-month period.

Only last week, Tambuwal, who had once accused Jonathan of encouraging corruption with his body language, was shabbily treated at the venue of a security seminar in Kaduna, Kaduna State. Although other dignitaries were allowed free entry, the soldiers on duty insisted that Tambuwal’s official car must be searched, forcing him to disembark and trek the rest of the way to the venue. The security personnel also said they were acting on “orders from above.”

In a democratic society, these illegalities must not be treated lightly. All lovers of liberty must rise up against this growing reign of impunity. As the Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, and Femi Falana, a civil rights lawyer, advised, the affected governors should go to court to enforce their fundamental human rights.

The suspicion that the Presidency is complicit in the gale of repression by the military could be deduced from the silence of Jonathan. When the military went astray late in May, seizing and destroying newspapers across the country, in an unprecedented assault on free speech never witnessed in a democratic era, the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, failed to address the issue or demand explanations from his troops.

Last year, five opposition state governors, who were on a solidarity visit to Amaechi in Rivers State, were hounded by armed thugs while the conniving police looked on; their vehicles were damaged. A senator, Magnus Abe, was attacked by thugs and injured by police teargas at a rally in support of Amaechi. Add the recent allegations that signals of the British Broadcasting Corporation and Voice of America Hausa services were ordered to be blocked, and a grim picture of Jonathan’s descent into tyranny becomes very clear.

In saner climes, the record of repression by the Jonathan government and the way he is using the military to subvert civil rights would have landed him in serious trouble. But, rather than accept their fate, tamely, those whose rights have been abridged should seek legal redress. Civil society groups and other Nigerians, especially members of the Nigerian Bar Association, should not fold their arms and allow the country’s democracy to be further desecrated without lawful challenge.


PUNCH

All by one man with no shoes who won a lot of Goodwill and promised a new and positive beginning.


How sad and unfortunate.

When they first started advertising online and offline that "GEJ will be the best president Nigeria ever had" in 2012, i said they have started the processes of making Jonathan a dictator - now its beginning to materialise - by 2015 the next level will be assassination of opposing voices and by 2016, GEJ will become a full dictator with the mandate to rule Nigeria for as long as he lives.

Mark my words.

Nigerians bough bad medicine and they have themselves to blame

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

nwa.anambra:
When they first started advertising online and offline that "GEJ will be the best president Nigeria ever had" in 2012, i said they have started the processes of making Jonathan a dictator - now its beginning to materialise - by 2015 the next level will be assassination of opposing voices and by 2016, GEJ will become a full dictator with the mandate to rule Nigeria for as long as he lives

I hope the highlighted happens, anything that would keep Awusa from ruling is fine by me. I never want to see another Hausa president in my life again. You guys ruled for 40yrs haba.

The only Hausa man I would vote for is Major AL Mustapha, he knows how to keep the Yorubas in check, ask Abiola.

Mogidi:

I hope the highlighted happens, anything that would keep Awusa from ruling is fine by me. I never want to see another Hausa president in my life again. You guys ruled for 40yrs haba. The only Hausa man I would vote for is Major AL Mustapha, he knows how to keep the Yorubas in check, ask Abiola.

What will you do if a Hausa man unknown to us at the moment, arises and is the best candidate among all contenders? Would u refuse to vote for him just because of his tribe and deny Nigeria sterling leadership?

prophet_one: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Sharaap dia!!
When Buhari (Buko hari leader) said he would make the nation ungovernable, we did not speak out
Because we are not Ijaws

When they started Boko haram, we did not speak out
Because we're muslims

When they bombed Sabongari we did not speak out
Because we don't live in foreigners quaters

Now they are on the loose bombing emir palaces, motor parks, Schools etc

Mogidi:

Sharaap dia!!
When Buhari (Buko hari leader) said he would make the nation ungovernable, we did not speak out
Because we are not Ijaws

When they started Boko haram, we did not speak out
Because we're muslims

When they bombed Sabongari we did not speak out
Because we don't live in foreigners quaters

Now they are on the loose bombing emir palaces, motor parks, Schools etc

Your inability to absorb and understand a globally acclaimed classic piece by Martin Niemoller is a testament to your intellectual poverty and I will correspond no further with your impolite person as I assumed you were a mature and rational thinking individual.

aresa:
All by one man with no shoes who won a lot of Goodwill and promised a new and positive beginning.


How sad and unfortunate.

Real sad and really unfortunate.
But history has recorded that no matter the power at a man's disposal, he cannot stand against the will and aspiration of the people.

Jonathan's disgraceful fall will be monumantal and conspicuously indellible.

prophet_one:

Your inability to absorb and understand a globally acclaimed classic piece by Martin Niemoller is a testament to your intellectual poverty and I will correspond no further with your impolite person as I assumed you were a mature and rational thinking individual.

Some people should't be accorded the luxury of a response when they fool themselves for a second time.
Stop making stüpid people popular, pls!

Leave jonathan alone,
He is only digging his own grave.
Awon to jaye lano da
Wo it ku ,wo ti lo.

One minute he is clueless and weak, the next he is a dictator.
It just doesn't add up!

beremole: One minute he is clueless and weak, the next he is a dictator.
It just doesn't add up!

nah... He's not clueless. Or weak....

all this dogon turenchi because he did not allow APC rig the election?

The people who feel their rights have been abused should go to a court of law, not the court of public opinion. No one has asked what they where going to do in ekiti, was it to campaign? or to rig? Ideally, my opinion is that the presidency acted within its powers and boundaries by Forstalling the breakdown of law and order by the coming into ekiti of rascals with bags of cash to bribe for polity.

Jonathan should understand the precedence he's setting. One thing I know is that the fall of dictators is always epic and tragic.

He should learn and not be like Mr. Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d'voir.



I wish him well

Mogidi:

I hope the highlighted happens, anything that would keep Awusa from ruling is fine by me. I never want to see another Hausa president in my life again. You guys ruled for 40yrs haba.

The only Hausa man I would vote for is Major AL Mustapha, he knows how to keep the Yorubas in check, ask Abiola.

Well, in that case, your days are already numbered because what you hate (a Hausa president) is inevitable and bound to happen within the next ten years, if not sooner; and when that happens, I will be only too happy to hand to you your poisoned chalice so you could do the needful and rid this country one more of the cancer afflicting it - i.e. tribal bigots like you.
You might as well start organizing your funeral, as many of us can't wait to start celebrating the departure of your diseased soul.

blackeli: The people who feel their rights have been abused should go to a court of law, not the court of public opinion. No one has asked what they where going to do in ekiti, was it to campaign? or to rig? Ideally, my opinion is that the presidency acted within its powers and boundaries by Forstalling the breakdown of law and order by the coming into ekiti of rascals with bags of cash to bribe for polity.

Was Tambuwal the speaker of the house on his way to Ekiti too?

Was Amaechi's plane heading to Ekiti when it was grounded last year?

Was Sanusi on his way to Ekiti when his palace was surrounded and under siege?


Btw, elections doesn't take away your rights as a Nigerian.

I've lost my love for GEJ but wil never votethose ApC miscreants lead by the frog-eyed.

__________________________

prophet_one:

Your inability to absorb and understand a globally acclaimed classic piece by Martin Niemoller is a testament to your intellectual poverty and I will correspond no further with your impolite person as I assumed you were a mature and rational thinking individual.

Your mumu no get grade.
mogidi internalized Niemoller's quote and related it to events in your backyard.
But you, blind you, cannot see wisdom if it hits you between the eyes.

tit:

Your mumu no get grade.
mogidi internalized Niemoller's quote and related it to events in your backyard.
But you, blind you, cannot see wisdom if it hits you between the eyes.

Don't mind the prophet of doom.

Power corrupts.....absolute power corrupts absolutely..GEJ is seriously fighting tooth,and nail to remain in power,his recent action can be related to the proverbial bull in a china shop,whose aim is to destroy many things as possible..but no matter how he tries,the will of the people will surpass him. If in doubt,ask Abacha..

'order from above'
who is this person above giving orders? Well, your guess is as good as mine.
'Those who sought power by riding on the back of a tiger will end up in the belly of the tiger'

Mogidi:

Sharaap dia!!
When Buhari (Buko hari leader) said he would make the nation ungovernable, we did not speak out
Because we are not Ijaws

When they started Boko haram, we did not speak out
Because we're muslims

When they bombed Sabongari we did not speak out
Because we don't live in foreigners quaters

Now they are on the loose bombing emir palaces, motor parks, Schools etc

who are d fools that liked this senseless ramblings?

Mogidi:

I hope the highlighted happens, anything that would keep Awusa from ruling is fine by me. I never want to see another Hausa president in my life again. You guys ruled for 40yrs haba.

The only Hausa man I would vote for is Major AL Mustapha, he knows how to keep the Yorubas in check, ask Abiola.

You see how hatred has elude your simple state of reasoning.1960-1966;Azikiwe was president and Tafawa was prime minister.(6years for Igbo and perhaps hausa but note Azikiwe was president)1966-1967 was Ironsi and not hausa/fulani.1967-1976 was Gowon who is not hausa/Fulani.In summary;Murtala 1year,Shagari 5 years,Buhari 1 year,Ibb 8 years,Abacha 4 and half years,Abdulsalam 1 year,Yar'adua 3 years=23 and half years.Therefore,of the 54 years of Nigeria as a country Muslims and Hausa/fulani(note also that Ibb,Abacha and Abdulsalam are not hausa fulani) have rule for 23 and half years while Christians and "God sent tribes"have rule for 31 and half years and still counting.My friend you guys often hate them as such,you don't check your records properly.

That is what clueless powerful people do?

nwa.anambra:
When they first started advertising online and offline that "GEJ will be the best president Nigeria ever had" in 2012, i said they have started the processes of making Jonathan a dictator - now its beginning to materialise - by 2015 the next level will be assassination of opposing voices and by 2016, GEJ will become a full dictator with the mandate to rule Nigeria for as long as he lives.

Mark my words.

A pedigree of OBJ, what did u expect? Well he still hasnt done upto what OBJ committed. Take heart thatbonce he leave power his power will wane just like that of his former godfather

I thought they said Jonathan is clueless? Is it not a contradiction that a clueless man can do all these things?

Meanwhile, of all the allegations, the Tambuwal episode should never generate any news in any society where no one is above the law. What if a search is conducted on Speaker's convoy? What is the big deal? How does that constitute harassment? And Punch is insinuating that the search was a payback for Tambuwal speaking against corruption - seriously? The same Tambuwal who as principal officer of the house connived with Dimeji Bankole to illegally increase legislators' allowances?

While I do not support breach of fundamental rights/freedom of association, there is no need to start screaming blue murder. The affected persons should just take their case to court and seek redress.

Lastly, when will the punch write an editorial about Amaechi's dictatorial tendencies in Rivers State especially regarding the appointment of a state chief judge?

beremole: One minute he is clueless and weak, the next he is a dictator.
It just doesn't add up!

That means he's highly unstable.