Don’t stifle the press

Pressman cartoonThe cornerstone, indeed the beautiful bride, of a civilised democracy is free and uninhibited free speech. Thus, it becomes troubling if the one who should be a protagonist of this free press issues a strong rebuke to the “Fourth Estate” to, like everyone read and understood that directive; desist from objective commentaries on the Benue killings.

There was a warning to “article writers” and “columnists.” This is so sad. Why would not this Buhari government be tolerant of objective criticisms and opinions and take everything with great equanimity the way former President Goodluck remained rock-solid and resolute in the face of unfettered bashings.

Benue State folks like Professor Jerry Agada, Sunday Adole Jonah, Simon Abah, Terwase Awunah, Nats Agbo Onoja and others have it on their consciences as their civic responsibilities to speak out against the obvious genocidal trends in Benue State; really, my hometown district of Ugboju is generally in the neighbourhood of 50 to 60 or so kilometres as the crow flies from Agatu District and if I do not speak out against atrocities perpetuated by Fulanis at Agatu and elsewhere, then Ugboju would be in for a terrible bashing sooner or later and what becomes of my family?

Nigeria has had its very bitter experience with the attempt to stifle the free press. Now, the Presidency wants to stifle free press by way of the “advisory” and have Nigerians believe that all is well at Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, and other states where armed, foreign Fulani tribesmen have invaded our sovereign nation and declared a jihad on the settled agrarian Christian communities. Truth should be pursued and must be told in its bareness all the time. The consciousness of fear in itself is half-death.

Sunday Adole Jonah

Minna, Niger State