Dare Babalola
Prominent Nigerian activist Deji Adeyanju has opposed military rule and those who promote it, describing such forces as “evil” in a passionate Facebook post on Monday.
In the post, which was a reaction to the failed military coup in Benin, Adeyanju drew a stark contrast between Nigeria’s current democratic system and the constraints of military governance, emphasising the value of freedoms enjoyed under democracy.
“Under democracy, we can freely insult Tinubu and the government and call them names,” Adeyanju wrote, highlighting the space for dissent and free speech in the country.
He warned that the same liberties would be perilous under a military regime, where “it’s a death wish to even contemplate that.”
Adeyanju underscored the difference in consequences, noting that while President Bola Tinubu might pursue cybercrime charges against critics in a democracy, “under military rule, death may be the consequence.”
In his strongly-worded statement, Adeyanju expressed a deep-seated aversion to military interventions, stating, “I hate military rule and anyone promoting it with passion. They are evil. The only other person I hate more than them is the devil himself.”
In another post, Adeyanju wrote, “All the military regimes Peter Obi supporters were supporting in Mali, Burkina Faso, etc have crushed opposition and criticism in the country. Nobody can dare speak up against the ruthless regimes in those countries now. You speak up against the Mali & Burkina junta, you die.
“I was at a human session in Senegal recently were activists from Mali & Burkina had to tell everyone with a camera in the room to leave before they could speak about the things going on in those countries out of fear. What you have in Mali/Burkina right now is a country where the words and wishes of a dictator is the law/constitution and no one can dare challenge him. Propaganda is their tools of governance.”
The activist’s remarks come amid Nigeria’s engagement in regional security efforts, including a recent operation in Benin Republic where Nigerian forces helped quell a coup attempt.
All the military regimes Peter Obi supporters were supporting in Mali, Burkina Faso, etc have crushed opposition and criticism in the country. Nobody can dare speak up against the ruthless regimes in those countries now. You speak up against the Mali & Burkina junta, you die. I was at a human session in Senegal recently were activists from Mali & Burkina had to tell everyone with a camera in the room to leave before they could speak about the things going on in those countries out of fear. What you have in Mali/Burkina right now is a country where the words and wishes of a dictator is the law/constitution and no one can dare challenge him. Propaganda is their tools of governance.
