As the nation enters a crucial period occasioned by the decision of Federal Government to remove Fuel subsidy, I know it will be a trying time to both the government and the citizens.
As the nation enters a crucial period occasioned by the decision of Federal Government to remove Fuel subsidy, I know it will be a trying time to both the government and the citizens.
This decision no doubt will affect the peace and security of the Nigerian state, due to spiral of hardship and hopelessness and confusion that will becloud the nation.
If the claims and counter claims of various interests groups are anything to go by, the nation and the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan should expect rally, protests and to some extend violence from the belligerent Nigerians, who have suffered long years of hardship and ineptitude from leaders in all season.
As the nation gets down to this show down; one important institution that will play a very important role in deciding the peaceful or violent directions of the protests and rallies is the Nigeria Police Force. Nigeria Police Force as institution has played a very important role in maintaining peace and security in the country over the years. And also, the police by nature are supposed to be sympathetic and very close to the people by safeguarding their life and properties. But, unfortunately, the Nigerian police are not only societal most endangered species, but, the force has become the ugly sign of misdemeanor on what is supposed to be a security agency.
The Nigerian Police Force suffered from both psychological and physiological trauma and deprivation. Long years of neglect and suffering have turn the Nigerian Police Force, from a security agency that supports and protect lives and properties to one, that, destroys and brutalizes the supposed citizens they are paid to protect. The saying that “Police is your Friend” makes no meaning to average Nigerians; because the citizens don’t respect the Nigerian Police. In my mind, I have no ill feeling against the Nigerian Police Force, because I knew the Nigerian police force is the creation of unjust state and her unproductive ruling elites.
No doubt, the Nigerian police have been used as instruments of brutality, oppression and subjugation of the collective resolves and determination of the belligerent Nigerians to maintain the wicked and unproductive elite hegemonic centre. Ironically, the Nigeria Police Force, also suffers from these hopelessness and poverty in the land that the people are trying to protests against. A visit to any of the Police Barracks across the country shows the confusion, poverty, and hopelessness of the families of the men and women in the uniform, especially the Police force.
Only the Nigerian Police force will remember that the unjust state and their ruling class, cares less about their family and their lives.
If only they can remember and reflect on there colleagues that died in the line of duty, which have not yet been paid their pension and gratuity. Aren’t they tired and frustrated with the end game, deception, and injustice of this unproductive ruling elite. What about the inhuman condition they suffered when posted to various bushes and road blocks across the country without been paid their little daily allowance; thereby turning them into glorified beggars and extortionist on the highways. Is this the kind of system or ruling elite they are willing to protect?
All this flow of emotion and sympathy on the Nigerian Police Force, stems from the fact that, I knew the Nigerian Police Force are prepared to mutilate, brutalize and kill most of us due to our resolves to confront the insensitivity, corruption and incompetence of the present ruling elites, who are armed bent in deepening poverty and hopelessness among the masses, by removing subsidy instead of tackling the causes of subsidy in the first place.
Therefore, before, Nigeria Police Force unleash their bullets, baton, tear gas and tortures on the rest of us; I want them to realize that we sympathize with the hopelessness, psychological and physiological trauma and neglect they suffers all this long . I want them to take some seconds to reflect, that, if our only crime is our resolves to have a better future for ourselves and children, then it is incubate on them to protect us throughout the protest and rallies procession not to harass and intimidate us. Remember brothers and sisters in the uniform; you are part of us - the 99% deprived and hopeless Nigerians. Remember we go to the same market; suffer from lack of good roads, hospitals, water supply, sound education, peace and security, endemic poverty, unemployment, impoverishment and confusion that seem to becloud this promising country.
The members of the Police force especially the ranks and files that seem overzealous in protecting injustices and elite insensitivity, must understand, before the owners of this country unleash then on us, they have already weeped then, 9 times with their injustice and handover the remaining one for us. I know you often argued to be doing your job, but, killing and mutilating the bodies and souls of the rest of us is not part of the job description. Going ahead with the transcripts of the unjust ruling class, will only create more discomfort and depression on your psyche, because I know you are human and with an inbuilt conscience. My sympathy for you is that, instead of protecting people, over the years, you are the soul protector and guardians of injustice, insensitivity, corruption and endemic poverty unleashed on the rest of us by 1% of the population.
Destination January 2012 is the year of uncertainty, confusion and hopelessness. A year that will define the direction, seriousness and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria after years of leadership ineptitude and injustice. As the new year usher in with hope and determination, my sympathy and appeal goes to the members of the Nigeria Police Force, not to allow themselves to be use to mutilate and kill innocents Nigerians whose only demands is for their leaders to be sensitive and accountable to their mandate. As you go about, doing your job of ensuring law and order, and guarding the properties and lives of people against some miscreants that will want to use such opportunity to foment troubles and violence, remember you are part of the 99% of deprived and hopeless Nigerians whose future have being frustrated, conditioned and mortgaged into wildness and slavery.
As for members of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Civil societies, youths and women groups, Bar association and all who plan to protest and rally against the insensitive decision of the ruling class to remove subsidy, please, be guided by the yearning and aspirations of the people. I know it is difficult to trust Nigeria Police Force, but, let build culture of understanding, tolerance and respect throughout the upcoming confrontation and challenges. If possible let buy and donate flowers, biscuits, chew gums, food, water, juice, and gifts and present to them in solidarity to them for a job well-done and partnership towards a better future for ourselves and children. This is just a way of showing to them, we are not against the state, but, only against a ruling cabal that what to destroy our livelihood and future.
I think our resolve against fuel subsidy removal is for the President to fight corruption, repairs our refineries, cut the cost of governance and ensure security of life and properties, before thinking of removing subsidy. I don’t think we are asking too much. Wishing you all a Prosperous New year by brothers and sisters in the struggle!
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