By Ovat Abeng
Until the civil society organizations wake up from their slumber to demand accountability from the Federal Government and the Governors of the South East States, the insecurity and unlawful killings in the region may not abate.
This is the view of an Anambra-based civil rights activist and renowned social affairs analyst, Comrade Osita Obi, in an exclusive chat with Our Correspondent in Awka, Anambra State Capital, on Wednesday.
Obi’s opinion is coming against the backdrop of the findings of a report titled ‘A decade of impunity: Attacks and unlawful killings in South East Nigeria,’ launched in Enugu last week, by Amnesty International, AI Nigeria.
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The report indicted South East Governors for not taking the necessary action to nip the assault, killings, enforced disappearances, rights violations and other acts of violence, according to him, by state and non-state actors in the bud.
It also revealed that efforts by Amnesty International to meet with the governments of the various states, to discuss its findings and proffer solutions, were totally disregarded, with the exception of the Anambra State Government, which responded.
Obi, who is the convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, expressed the view that the civil society in the region has been docile, evident in their inability to keep the government on its toes, as regards matters of insecurity.
He further alleged that civil society, which is a critical component of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), has become a stooge to governments, singing praises of the powers that be, to the detriment of the teeming masses.
“The civil society is not performing. It appears that they are now toothless bulldogs.
“Some of these security challenges we experience are not sponsored by spirits. Don’t be surprised that top government officials and top security agencies may be involved.
“When you talk about unknown gunmen, we know who they are, because they are from our communities.
“If we cannot arrest them because we don’t have the coercive powers of the government as civil society, then we should hold those responsible for the security of lives and property to account. But we have become praise-singers,” he lamented.
Obi also faulted the silence and docility of the civil society. He alleged that kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers are being elected into positions of governance.
According to him, once these persons assume positions of power, it becomes impossible to get things right, no matter how much noise the civil society makes.
The activist advocated a radical approach by the civil society, where they will troop out to the streets to protest and demand that the government does the right thing by the people.
“When I say radical approach, I mean a situation where we head to the field. I don’t mean that people should be violent. What I am talking about is a situation where people would take their seats and come out to the streets and sit down.
“If a Governor sees about five to ten thousand citizens on the streets, asking for answers, he will be moved to take action to listen to their demands.
“So, the civil society must stop being docile and assume its rightful position. I am advocating radical approach, since we have tried the talk-talk and it has not worked,” Obi insisted.
