Separating The Law From The War

By Shehu Bashir Esq

Too much “democracy” is a danger to Democracy. Constitutionally allowed protest cannot be the same as the call for rage against a constituted authority. Whatever that anyone perceives as a “bad government “ can only be “ended” through the ballot and not through the “banger”.

Calling for a rage against the constituted authority is the same as calling for a coup de tat. It is declaration of war against the Nigerian State. And it is undemocratic. A supposed call for a better government policy does not have to resort to an illegal call for an end of a government. This is overboard and it should be treated as such.

It is criminal to declare a protest “days of rage”. This is a treasonous call. If this call for rage is not treated as insurrection attempt, if the people involved in this (under any disguise) are not treated accordingly and the worst happens, the government should take the responsibility for being to “politically correct” to act proportionately.

Let us separate politics from policy decisions. Let us divorce social reform request from social unrest incitement. We cannot afford to have a chaotic situation if our peace is of utmost importance to us. In a chaotic situation, the system cannot even attend to reform request. Let there be order, the mob cannot do the job.

Where the job is done by the mob without control, every citizen is a potential victim of uncontrolled mob violence. Mob action always comes with spontaneous violence. We should not start what can potentially consume the peace we have all built.

Protest doesn’t have to come with violence. No responsible citizens-protesters will threaten a State with violence. That is not what democracy allows. This is what anarchy entails. We don’t need anarchy to achieve reform.

Let us give peace and dialogue a chance. Let’s be civil in our quest and request. Citizens should be responsible in their approach and realistic their requests. Irresponsible citizens who want to cause chaos, partake in it, incite it or even sponsor it should be treated according to the law. Government should be proactive in its measures to tackling this insurrection attempt. Say no to war of words and incitement. Nigeria is bigger than any sentimental interest.

God Is Here.