The senate and denial of liberty

In matters concerning the state, I have often addressed myself to the question of what makes a good political leader. Just like any reasonable person will answer that: a good leader is, in essence, a highly ethical individual whose example and love for his people will ensure that the state functions well. Leaders with these qualities are very scarce in today’s world. Two wrongs, they say, cannot make a right. You cannot have 60 percent of the population in poverty and deny them their liberty to speak in a democracy. There is bound to be anarchy!

 

Denying the people their right to freedom of speech in contemporary times is undemocratic and counterproductive. It will create unnecessary glitches between government and the citizenry. Although, liberty consists in doing as one desires, one must not make himself a nuisance to other people in the society.  It appears that politicians want Nigerians who are unemployed and wallowing in poverty not to speak their minds about the way they are being governed.

 

It was George Orwell, in “Animal Farm” who says that “if liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” Why is the Senate trying to deny Nigerians their right to freedom of expression? Politicians always want people to praise them when, in fact, their performance most times is below par.

 

I have stated in this column severally that when government makes promises it shows that it has good intentions. But these promises are only kept when those in government have good character. It is on the basis of promises that those in government were elected into various offices. When these promises are not kept, people must be allowed to ask questions. Nigerians say they want change, politicians promised “change”. But nothing has really changed. So why are senators of the eighth National Assembly insisting that they want to pass a social media bill, when there is incessant power supply, labour strikes, fuel supply shortage, and unprecedented kidnapping of girls and the elderly amongst others in the society? Senators cannot silence the citizenry through an obnoxious bill.

 

When Mr President speaks, I have no reason whatsoever to doubt him. This is because he is my leader. Recall that in one of my articles in this column titled “Buhari and the burden of leadership”, I made reference to Mr President’s remarks that he has been a democrat since 2002. By implication, I said, “PMB believes on a progressive social agenda, workers’ rights and diplomacy over military action, and separation between religion and the nation.” But what I am reading in the dailies about the proposed Social Media Bill is worrisome and disturbing.

 

Was it true that the Chief Justice of Nigeria attended a public forum organized by the Senate to discuss the proposed social media bill? What could be the motive for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), represented by one female judge to support the proposed social media bill during a public forum on 7 Mar 2016 as claimed by media reports? The CJN is likely to say that he has rights to express his opinion on any national issue. I agree if that was the reason. But who vectored the CJN to the public forum and on whose orders was he acting? May be the CJN is pre-emptive in supporting the proposed social media bill because of public accusations that judges are taking money before delivering judgments in high profile cases.

 

Even the Inspector General of Police, was alleged to have supported this proposed bill. Why? Whose scripts are these gentlemen acting? May be they are doing all of these so that they can be seen by their master as “good boys.” Let it be known that sycophancy will not help Mr President to achieve his ambition of giving Nigerians the desired “change” they need. The CJN should talk to his colleagues in the judiciary to be of good conduct in the eyes of the public. If Nigeria’s democracy is to be sustained, the judiciary needs to be transparent and accountable in the conduct of its affairs. Likewise, the police needs to work tirelessly in ensuring that lives and properties of citizens are secured.

 

I am aware based on media reports that Mr President has said that he is not in support of the proposed social media bill. This is a promise made. The integrity of that promise is not in doubt. Promises are only strong as the person who gives them. In fact should Nigerians take Mr President’s position on the proposed social media bill as a gospel? I am positive it will not change with the passage of time. I plead with those either working with or working for Mr President not to create problem for him as he tries to fix the nation’s economy.

 

At this juncture, I need to remind the Senate that freedom of speech and due process of law are two distinguishable bedrock of civil liberties. Free speech in a democracy is important. This is because without free speech, citizens cannot have any other form of liberty. Is Nigeria no more a practicing democratic nation?

 

When the Senate plans to deny citizens freedom of speech, Nigerians cannot claim or exercise liberties. They cannot defend themselves when accused, or accuse those who do wrong. With denial of liberty, one cannot have democracy in which information, views, and policies are expressed, debated and challenged. Additionally, one cannot have education worth the name, if there are things that cannot be said.

 

Let me end this piece by saying that the fundamental justification for freedom of expression flows from the fact that “it is an intrinsic right of every individual not to be forced to think, speak and believe at the dictate of others, but to do things of his or her own free accord.”

 

 

MA Johnson