According to Channels Television, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has expressed serious concerns in his most recent opinion piece over the deadly way security forces have responded to ongoing protests in Nigeria. In his analysis of the current turmoil, Soyinka draws attention to the terrible deaths of more than 14 Nigerians over the last four days, which were purportedly caused by the military and police as the protests descended into violence in multiple states.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Soyinka stresses that the government’s failure to effectively address protest management is a key issue. He criticizes the president’s address for not adequately addressing the deteriorating relationship between the state and its citizens, particularly regarding the use of force against peaceful demonstrators. “Live bullets as state response to civic protest – that becomes the core issue,” Soyinka writes. He condemns the use of excessive force, including tear gas, in situations where protests are peaceful, urging for a more civilized approach to handling dissent.
The renowned playwright and activist compares the current situation to historical moments of civic unrest, pointing to the “hunger marches” as a global phenomenon that demands urgent attention. According to Soyinka, these marches, though often framed by specific grievances, are fundamentally a cry for governance to recognize public desperation. The violent repression of these marches, he says, reflects a regression to colonial-era tactics, evoking the painful memory of Hubert Ogunde’s 1940s folk opera Bread and Bullets, which depicted the suffering under colonial rule.
Soyinka also draws parallels with the Yellow Vest movement in France, noting that in stark contrast to Nigeria’s response, French police refrained from using lethal force, even during direct confrontations with protesters. “The serving of bullets where bread is pleaded is ominous retrogression,” Soyinka warns, emphasizing that such actions could eventually lead to more severe upheavals.
In conclusion, Soyinka calls for an urgent shift away from the use of lethal force by Nigerian security agencies, urging the government to embrace more peaceful and effective methods of handling public dissent. “This vicious cycle must be broken,” he asserts, reflecting on the deep-seated issues of governance and the need for transformation.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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