Oby Ezekwesili Dramatization Of Emotions, Self-Serving Propaganda And Disrespect Of Public Holders Must Stop Now

By Adewole Kehinde

Many media houses on Friday, September 89th, 2016 came out with the headlines that the leader of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group, Oby Ezekwesili, has asked the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to “try and get proper education on what democracy is”.

This is in lieu with the statement by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris that the activities of the Bring Back Our Girls group have become “troublesome” and a “threat to the public” and should be “controlled” from now on.

IGP Ibrahim Idris stated this when the National Council for Women Societies visited him on Friday, September 8th, 2016 at the Force Headquarters, Abuja..

Oby Ezekwesili said the IGP should ask for the file that recorded their advocacy between 2014 and 2015 when the previous administration used all kinds of tactics similar to this one to try to violate our constitutional liberty but in my own opinion, as at 2014 and 2015, the group is not as violent as it is today!

It is on record that Oby Ezekwiesili attitude towards this government changed when her Curriculum Vitae submitted to the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo did not earn her appointment with this administration.

This administration had appointed two prominent members of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group into sensitive office in Nigeria, so I expect Oby Ezekwesili to join hand with those two appointed and support this administration to ensure that the Military rescue the girls alive and safely.

It is on record that World Renown Human Right Activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin initiated moves to Rescue the Girls and her group has been so peaceful in her activities to date.

I concur with the statement of IGP Ibrahim Idris that “The #BringBackOurGirls protagonist must understand that in their exercise of their rights, they must not trample on other people’s right through over dramatisation of emotions, self-serving propaganda and disrespect of public holders.”

“While exercising their constitutional rights to assemble freely, they should be mindful of freedom of movement of other persons enshrined in chapter 4, section 41 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. Pressure groups should not resort to arm twisting the government to achieve their aim.”

The Inspector General of Police has not banned the activities of the Bring Back Our Girls but he has however, asked the group to tread with caution and channel their grievances within the ambit of the law, noting that processions carried out by this group should be in accordance with the law so as to avoid miscreants seizing the opportunity to cause disturbance of public peace.

I will advise the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group and Oby Ezekwesili to respect the Law of the land instead of arm twisting the government to achieve their aim. The issue of security is not what should be open to the public as this may jeopardize the activities of the military to rescue the girls alive and put an end to insurgency in the North East.

Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs specialist based in Abuja. He can be reached via kennyadewole@gmail.com