MOSOP seeks end to militarisation of citizenry

Says it’s undemocratic
Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has urged the current administration to prioritise human rights and citizens’ welfare.

It said Nigerian citizens are choking under increasing weaponisation of government at all tiers.

In his statement to mark this year’s Democracy Day, MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, said the government used excessive force in a frightening dimension in the past eight years, saying this has undermined the principles of democracy.

“In recent times, we have seen orders of the Supreme Court being disrespected and executive orders replacing laws.

“Government has been weaponised to the point that in some cases, there is no thriving opposition to check the excesses of government and give citizens an alternative during elections.

“We have seen civilians call out the army over minor family issues, the police increasingly becoming a repressive force available for public office holders to detain and torture rather than secure the people,” the group stated.

He noted that the situation in Nigeria has degenerated to the point that police and military are being involved in civilian cases, saying, there is no thriving opposition to check the excesses of government and give citizens an alternative during elections.

“We have seen civilians call out the army over minor family issues. We have also seen the Police increasingly becoming a repressive force available for public office holders to detain and torture rather than secure the people,” Nsuke added.

The MOSOP leader further observed that the militarisation of governance has undermined the principles of democratic freedoms and threatened the peace and security of citizens, expressing worries that the federal government has overtime become brutal, repressive.

“The Ogoni people have been subjected to the worst inhuman treatments despite frantic efforts by the group to resolve the issues. Sadly, the previous governments have brought us to poverty with hopes that we will submit to injustice under extremely difficult conditions.”

MOSOP leader called on the Nigerian government to promote democratic freedoms and justice and pay attention to the needs of the people, while calling for special attention to resolve the Ogoni problem, which has lingered for over three decades.

“It’s actually a shame that we have been unable to peacefully resolve the Ogoni problem in over three decades. Instead of engaging with MOSOP, governments have repeatedly used repressive tactics and divide and conquer methods in attempts to crush the people’s demands for basic rights,” he concluded.