{"id":59120,"date":"2017-08-09T15:18:15","date_gmt":"2017-08-09T14:18:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=59120"},"modified":"2017-08-09T15:18:15","modified_gmt":"2017-08-09T14:18:15","slug":"anti-buhari-protest-freedom-expression-attack-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/articles-opinions\/anti-buhari-protest-freedom-expression-attack-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-Buhari Protest: Freedom of expression under attack in Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Gbenga Odunsi<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Several criticisms have trailed the policies of the Buhari-led
\nadministration, as most of them have posed a serious threat to the nation\u2019s
\neconomic growth. However, indications have shown that criticizing President
\nBuhari\u2019s policies could lead people to probe or arrest. This poses as a
\nmajor problem with democracy, and with the Buhari led government.<\/p>\n

President Muhammadu Buhari has been criticized for trying to cage the press
\nand deny many Nigerians freedom of expression as many feel he thinks he is
\nstill under a military regime.<\/p>\n

While the constitution of Nigeria guarantees freedom of speech and the
\npress, it is obvious that those rights are under attack.<\/p>\n

The actions and activities of security agencies, who are meant to secure
\nlives and properties, ensure freedom of expression, freedom of the press,
\nfreedom to hold opinion indicates they are not ready to ensure these rights.<\/p>\n

Police officers in Abuja splashed water and fired tear gas canisters on
\na group of concerned Nigerians led by musician, Charly Boy, calling for the
\nimmediate return or resignation of President Buhari. Uyi, a journalist who
\nworks with Silverbird TV, was monitoring the protests, when he was
\nbrutalised. Armed police men who also used dogs to scare away the
\nprotesters manhandled some of them which led to one sustaining injuries.<\/p>\n

However, the security operatives who were said to be acting on the
\ndirective from the Federal Government to disrupt the rally because the
\nprotest on Monday went viral and embarrassed the government also dispersed
\nthe protesters who gathered at Millennium Park for the day\u2019s business.<\/p>\n

In recent month, there were instances where security agencies went after
\npeople simply because of something they said or wrote against President
\nBuhari.<\/p>\n

A series of arrests of bloggers, newspaper reporters, media houses, and
\neven a dog owner have been arrested in connection with freedom of
\nexpression. Musa Azare, a blogger known for being critical about the
\ngovernment of Bauchi state in the country\u2019s northeast, found himself under
\narrest sometimes last year.\u00a0 When a journalist is attacked, the
\nperpetrators of the assault rarely face charges.<\/p>\n

It is not only journalists that are facing threats. Police remanded a man
\nin the southwestern Ogun state for naming his dog \u201cBuhari\u201d.<\/p>\n

Apostle Suleiman was arrested by DSS because simply because he asked
\nNigerians to defend themselves against terrorist group. In same vein,
\nGovernor Fayose of Ekiti state was probed because of his constant
\ncriticisms against Buhari government.<\/p>\n

Special Assistant to president Buhari on media, on a radio program, told a
\nco-guest to \u2018shut up\u2019 simply because he criticized Buhari\u2019s government.<\/p>\n

Opinions and protests anywhere in the world are part of democratic process.
\nRecently, anti-government protests were held across the UK with crowds
\ncalling on Theresa May to resign over the government\u2019s response over
\nhousing policy in wake of Grenfell Tower disaster that killed at least 80, and
\nthe general election result. Chants of \u2018May must go\u2019 were heard in
\nWestminster.<\/p>\n

In the United States, protests were held in more than 135 cities and around
\nthe world to demand an impartial investigation into any potential collusion
\nbetween President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia to influence last
\nyear’s election in Trump’s favor.<\/p>\n

In Nigeria, unfortunately, there is freedom of speech, but one cannot
\nguarantee freedom after speech.<\/p>\n

It is safe to say that the right to freedom of speech in Nigeria is
\ngradually going into extinction as it appears anyone who criticizes
\nBuhari\u2019s policies might get probed, arrested or jailed.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Gbenga Odunsi edits AljazirahNigeria Newspapers. He can be reached on\u00a0Adeboyeolugbenga70@gmail.com<\/a>. He tweets @gbengaodunsii
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Gbenga Odunsi<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Gbenga Odunsi Several criticisms have trailed the policies of the Buhari-led administration, as most of them have posed a serious threat to the nation\u2019s economic growth. 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