In a functioning democracy, the right to free speech is fundamental. It is the cornerstone of any society that values justice, accountability, and progress. However, in many nations, particularly Nigeria, this right is becoming increasingly conditional—reserved only for those in power while being weaponised against the common citizen. The irony is glaring: those who once freely criticised governments in the past now seek to silence any form of dissent.
👉 The Abuse of Political Language
Recently, a disturbing trend has emerged where political leaders and their spokespersons manipulate language to suppress criticism. A striking example is the use of the term “capital punishment” in a completely inappropriate context by a Political Actor, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Temitope Ajayi. The intent behind such misuse of words is clear—to instil fear in those who dare to question the actions of the ruling class.
This is the height of hypocrisy. The same people who now advise the president once wielded words as weapons against a sitting president in the past. Back then, they enjoyed the freedom to speak their minds, to challenge authority, and to demand accountability. They even went as far as calling a sitting president “clueless” and “drunkard” while hurling abusive names at opposition presidential aspirants. But now that they are in power, they seek to curtail that very freedom for others. What changed? Their principles or their positions?
👉 Selective Justice: Who Really Deserves 'Capital' Punishment?
The real injustice lies in the selective application of punishment. Corrupt politicians who loot national resources and impoverish citizens remain untouched, their crimes overlooked or even justified. These individuals, who have ruled for over 40 years, continue to exploit public funds without facing any serious consequences. Yet, those who express their frustrations—who dare to call out the failures of leadership—are threatened with severe punishment.
Why is there no capital punishment for corruption? Why do those who steal from the people, leaving them in hunger and despair, continue to walk free? The system is not broken; it is designed this way—to protect the privileged few while crushing the voices of the many.
👉 Freedom of Speech in the Western World
In democratic nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, citizens criticise their leaders openly and hold them accountable without fear of persecution. Even presidents with significant global influence, such as the President of the United States, face daily criticism from media outlets, political opponents, and ordinary citizens. Despite this, they do not resort to silencing their critics or violating their citizens' rights. Leaders in these countries understand that democracy thrives on accountability and that constructive criticism leads to better governance.
For example, U.S. President Donald Trump was heavily criticised throughout his first tenure, from his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to his foreign policy decisions. Similarly, UK Prime Ministers such as Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have faced scrutiny from both the press and the public without resorting to suppressing dissent.
👉 Prioritising the Nation’s Growth
True leadership is about serving the people, not oppressing them. A country cannot progress when its leaders are more concerned with silencing criticism than addressing the real issues facing its citizens. To build a great nation, the focus should be on fighting corruption, improving governance, and ensuring the well-being of the people.
It is time for those in power to embrace accountability and transparency rather than resorting to intimidation. A nation’s greatness is not measured by how well it suppresses dissent but by how effectively it addresses the concerns of its people. Making the country great must be the priority—not the fragile egos of those in power.
Indeed, in times like these, one cannot help but recall the words, “Jesus wept.”
In all, there was a country.
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