Nigeria: Treason? the Craze for Political Power

22 December 2013

What does treason stand for in today's Nigeria? This question might sound mischievous, but it is one provoked by the recent tendency to label opposition to the government as a treasonable act. This tendency has seemed to be embraced very enthusiastically in the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. Treason by classical definition is an attempt or plot to overthrow the government of one's country, with or without foreign help. It is a serious crime against the state that carries the death penalty. That is under legal spheres. Under the Jonathan dispensation, however, treason appears to have a particularly trivial political definition that effectively equates it with perceived opposition to the government in power. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed this much recently when he branded as a "treasonable action" a call by the opposition All Progressives Congress on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Jonathan based the allegations in a letter by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo had in the letter titled "Before it is too late," accused Jonathan of leading the country back to an autocratic era akin to what it suffered under the General Sani Abacha junta. The former president alleged that Jonathan was encouraging division in the country along ethnic and religious lines, aiding corruption, and spoiling for bloodshed ahead of 2015 by raising a killer squad. Obasanjo is in a position to know a lot about the issues he raised. So, many Nigerians were, expectedly, agitated, as they took the contentions of the former president for what they should be. Weighty allegations that strike at the heart of the country's democracy. Allegations that should make the opposition shudder with fear, particularly, in a country where the security agencies display a bizarre inclination to pander to the president's every whim - how ever injurious to society. APC's concern was, thus, valid and reasonable. Its call for the impeachment of the president may be debatable. But the opposition is entitled to its independent opinion on issues, more so when such issues are already in the public domain. However, without so much as an appreciation of the opposition's worries, the Presidency slammed a charge of insurrection on APC, in a statement last Sunday by Abati, saying the opposition party "should be ready for consequences of treasonable action." Abati's statement was high on acerbic tirades but deliberately blind to the issues raised in Obasanjo's letter and reiterated by APC. The president's spokesman was, probably, taking a cue from one Mr. Chris Akiri, described as a public affairs analyst, who had called for Obasanjo's prosecution for treason.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.