Sir: There is a critical issue now staring all Nigerians in the face while everyone keeps mum as if nothing is amiss and all is well. And unless urgent measures are taken to arrest the situation and bring it under visible and convincing control, Nigeria’s so-called democracy may well be heading for the rocks. Never in the history of the country has there been a period with such a huge number of miscreants taking over almost everywhere and dictating the pace, and some state governments even romancing publicly with people of questionable characters and giving them the leeway to continue to harass and oppress law-abiding citizens.

While everyone watches the ugly scenes daily unable to know precisely how to respond or what exactly to do, everything is gradually turning upside down and Nigeria is becoming more and more of an ungovernable pariah state. There is no way so many criminals would be overtaking every nook and cranny of a nation and anyone would still expect to see any iota of progress in a supposed democratic nation fast becoming a jungle of brazen injustices.

The present state of things in Nigeria appears to be a conspiracy between some state governments, the law enforcement agents and members of a notorious transport group. That those terrorising the citizens on daily basis are being accorded an unwarranted recognition by some state governments that are supposed to protect citizens from undue intimidation and threats leaves a very sour taste in the mouth. By displaying such acceptance and friendship with criminal elements, such state governments openly declare their complete opposition to the citizens thereby leaving the people defenceless and susceptible to all manners of unprovoked attacks. And because of the promotion received from such official quarters, the camp of the touts has now continued to grow in leaps and bounds while the citizens remain at the receiving end, groaning in pains.

However, some state governments have done well by being highly proactive in curtailing the activities of touts in their domain leading to relative peace being enjoyed by the citizens in such states. Such governors must be commended for setting politics aside and doing the needful for sanity to reign not minding whether or not touts may be useful in one way or another in the future. After all, what’s the whole essence of governing over a crisis-prone state where hoodlums dictate the pace? Other state governors ought to borrow a leaf from such bold actions of their counterparts by taking such necessary action that can reign in peace and tranquility. The acceptance of hooliganism, thuggery and touting into Nigeria’s body politics is an ill wind that would ultimately bring no one any good.

Jide Oyewusi, the coordinator of Ethics Watch International, wrote in from Lagos.