In many countries the ideals of democracy have been repudiated or are in jeopardy. Men are enunciating the dangerous doctrine that the sovereign people are not fit or capable of governing themselves. 

They openly are challenging the basic tenet of the Declaration of Independence that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the fundamental rights of man; they deny that men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; and for the right and for the right of each individual to rule his own destiny they would substitute a groveling type of totalitarianism that demands spineless obedience to the wishes of a dictator and weak-kneed subservience to an all-powerful state. 

Part of the convention on freedom of expression is, “Let a thousand flowers bloom, if there is a lie being told, enough truth will suffocate the life in the marketplace of ideas.” I think that is a very healthy way to look at expression because the converse to restrict or prevent expression drives down people’s ideas into silos with more threatening future consequences.

It is also widely believed that freedom of expression does not give one the right to incite his people into violence against the state and hate speeches are a crime all over the world. 

Agitation for freedom is also believed to be the foundation of human existence upon which all other rights are founded and enshrined. Anybody is free to agitate for freedom, people of the world agitating for secession through Parliament, advocacy and referendum but violence won't be allowed.

Therefore, there is nothing like actually writing something out to clarify thinking, so, I think that there are several platforms for a different perspective offered by any citizen that the rule of law and the ideas of freedom of expression, right to dignity of human person, right to freedom of thought, right to peaceful association, right to freedom from discrimination are much more important in the order of what is good or bad for society than repressive prevention of expression.

For several years in the history of Nigeria, several groups and platforms of the Igbos have struggled to salvage their fortunes, dignity, honour and to remain relevant in the Nigeria’s politics and economy. These agenda birthed the formation of an active pressure group such as Nzuko Umunna, Think Tank, Aka Ikenga, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo Intelligential Forum, several other groups with the mandate to voice out correctly the agendas of Igbos because values were central to redeeming the Igbo nation, people of strong values were literally handpicked from various other groups to form this kind of body.

No doubt the Ikenga, Nzuko Umunna, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo Intelligential Forum as well as other groups engaged in fighting Igbo cause has demonstrated great fortitude, courage and determination towards voicing out the needs and concerns of the Igbo people. It appears though that despite the efforts so far, very little has been accomplished over these past years.

Perhaps from problems, challenges and circumstances unveiling to us at this crucial moment of Nigeria’s unity today, fighting a common cause for the Igbo people seems unachievable.

I have paused to ask my self, are the agendas of Igbos people unrealistic and unachievable?

Bolaji Ogungbemi, lawyer and human right advocate

To be continued…

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