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Edo’s gradual descent into chaos and the silencing of dissenting voices
By John Ewah
The desire to quell the voices of dissent and stifle the people’s will through violence just to compel obedience and acceptance, is consistent with dictatorship, not democracy.
Legitimacy cannot be compelled, seized, or demanded, it must be earned. Whether in leadership, governance, or personal relationships, true authority relies on the trust and consent of others rather than coercion. Even the best of governments encounter opposition from within and outside their party structures.
The beauty of democracy lies in the inability of governments to wean the people off their critical opinions or abilities; for the people function as watchdogs for the state rather than as lapdogs to any administration.
Any government that craves acceptance or a less critical electorate should be willing to align its programs and policies to the confines of common interests.
It should be willing to tolerate the media space and the entire political establishment, break free of the shackles of political correctness, platitudes and hypocrisy, while showing genuine interest in the people’s welfare.
Freedom of expression is a constitutional right that must be championed by any government claiming to be democratic. It posseses as part of its relevance, the right for even those you despise as a government to be able to say things that are unfavourable about your administration. Otherwise, it has no meaning.
And like Thomas Paine wrote, “He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.”
A situation where hoodlums lie in wait to attack or inflict physical harm on opposition members, is a sad development, to say the least.
Political violence and attacks by suspected thugs against opposition figures and critics have escalated greatly in Edo State, in view of the 2027 general election.
Reports of activities by these thugs abound across the length and breadth of the state, with Edo now gradually descending into chaos.
A couple of days ago, Osagie Daniel Idedia, popularly known as Porkupyne, became yet another victim of political intolerance and rascality, after he was attacked and brutally assaulted by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums in Benin City, on his way from an event.
Porkupyne’s criticism of the current administration in the state is known to many, being a prominent voice against the programs and policies of the governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration.
While the state police command is reported to have launched investigations to track down those responsible, one could hardly accept the attack as an isolated incident.
There are supporters of the current administration on social media publicly advocating violence against dissenting voices, while the government feigns ignorance.
The government has taken no measure(s) to discourage or condemn such insane and dangerous rhetorics, even as Porkupyne, a victim of this saga, now lies in critical condition.
Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, must come out strongly to condemn the actions of these hooligans, brandishing the weapons of violence against opposition figures and critics, many of whom have been alleged to be APC supporters.
Like William Shakespeare puts it, “These violent delights, have violent ends.”
