The attack remains condemned and condemnable.
But as fresh facts and videos emerge, the picture is getting clearer that what happened in Imo State, should not be taken in isolation but seen as the real manifestation of civilian government has been treating any opposing view, voice since 1999. Governors maintain thugs believed to be members of Campus Cult groups, which they use to deal with Opposition.
Imo is today magnified and singled out because of the caliber of who was attacked. Before this attack on Joe Ajaero, Imo citizens have been crying about the oppressive governance style of Governor Hope Uzodinma. They have also cried out against the Police torture Centre called Tiger Base. Prominently Ikenga Ugochinyere had accused Chinasa Nwaneri Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Special Duties, of being behind his ordeal. Imo Peoples Action For Democracy (IPAD) has been on the forefront challenging the oppressive government of Hope Uzodinma.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) had called for the arrest of Mr. Nwaneri.
NBA Owerri Branch also cried out over the abuse dishes out by Imo State Police Command on innocent Imolites, including lawyers.
The world turned deaf and dumb to these cries. Joe Ajaero, who is from Imo State kept mute, distancing himself, claiming NLC is solely interested in the welfare of unionized workers, until now that the swinging ax has gotten to his jugular.
Like Imo State, like Rivers, Lagos, Edo, Ondo, just name it. Up North, Opposition views and voices are Haram. Northern Governors, with impunity take joy in dealing with any voice that dared to voice out alternative views.
Since 1999 to date, the Opposition space has been shrinking geometrically and the only light at the end of the tunnel, appears to be light of worse treatment for any surviving Opposition voice. Against this dwindling space, I dare ask, what is the essence of the Wednesday 8th November strike called by NLC? Is it to address the oppression of the Opposition nationwide or just to fork a pound of flesh from Imo State for the assault on Joe Ajaero? Will using the weight of NLC on Imo State, not be akin squashing a mosquito with a sledgehammer?
It will gladden my heart, if the strike is widened beyond merely calling for the removal of Imo State Commissioner of Police. NLC should work with Civil Society Organizations across Nigeria, using this brutalization of Joe Ajaero as a springboard to address issue of Police brutality, detention of citizen in police torture chambers(like the one they took Joe Ajaero to) and the suppression of Opposition by State Governors.
I condemn the attack, brutalization of Joe Ajaero but we can make gains from this unfortunate event.
