 Published
January 10th, 2011
As past or present players in the Nigerian leadership on matters of
national freedom and expression, and the need to erect the freedom of
movement, speech, or expression in a young democracy like Nigeria, your
immediate and collective voice is needed now to curtail official and
tyrannical abuse as reported in the case of our brother, Prof Okey
Ndibe.
You will agree that as men who one way or the other want to ensure a
free State in Nigeria especially at a time when the country cries for
more bold words no matter how bitter or rancorous they appear. As you
know in history if Ndibe was truly about writing words of insurrection
or rebellion in order to take over the country he will not be home for
a family visit. Dear Chiefs, could this whole matter be nothing but a
clear sign of institutional stupidity?
With the national dilemma in the country, others like Prof. Chukwuma
Soludo, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria in a lecture at
the Faculty of Social Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
predicted that should the current social and economic woes continue,
the people could seek self-help through violence, and bring the needed
change that some in leadership have always resisted.
Also, with an air of frustration, a nationally revered Constitutional
Law scholar, Prof Ben Nwabueze at a Book launch, in Victoria Island,
Lagos, posited that adequate transformational change could only take place
through Bloody Revolution.
Like these men, Prof Ndibe, is equally crying out frustration as it
relates to the pain and pressure of a nation, and nothing else. No one,
among these men is calling for physical violence , and certainly not Prof
Ndibe as his collective line of words speaks for itself—a call for a
progressive society in order to avoid going backwards.
Therefore this form of ugly treatment is bad.
Imagin this, on a man like Prof Ndibe; after almost 14 hours of
stressful travel , with heavy luggage on his body, and lack of a
functioning lift to the SSS office , finds himself under abrupt
questioning. Of course is it okay to question him, but it must be done
under due process beginning from the time with his first contact with
the nameless SSS officer. How Ironic that all these commotion will
happen on Saturday, 8th of January, 2011, shortly before mid-night to a
man like Prof Ndibe, a United States based Nigerian academician,
writer, and speaker on progressive issues; when the nation is
witnessing rampant and lawless killing, maiming,and kidnapping in
the current electoral atmosphere.
From the point of psychological and criminal justice education the SSS
appears to be hungry for professional development and training to avoid
procedural mistakes like this one; and an unscrupulous press for the
struggling Jonathan administration, and a bad international load on
nation in political and security pain.
As Leaders you will agree that in the pursuit of freedom of information
and in the chase for a progressive nation that diasporan writers on
political issues should be welcomed with open arms and not be treated
with intimidation as in the seizures of passports. Let Ndibe go now,
and tell the world that this is wrong, and that there is a better way
to protect a young democracy like Nigeria. In the name and spirit of
Anthony Enahoro free him now!
And by the way fix that broken lift leading to the SSS office! A
message to the Jonathan
administration and the airport management.
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D , DABPS, FACFE, is a Forensic/Clinical
Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral
Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida.
joshodi@broward.edu
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