Human Rights Activist, Deji Adeyanju, believes that President Muhammadu Buhari did not condemn reports of Police brutality in the United States of America, because he has allegedly supervised repression and killing of Nigerian protesters agitating for their rights.
Adeyanju spoke to Sahara Reporters, while reacting to the silence of the President on the killing of George Floyd, an African American, by a white Police Officer.
Floyd lost his life after the white Police Officer, Derek Chauvin, on May 25, in Minneapolis, knelt on his neck for over eight minutes, despite Floyd telling him that he could not breathe.
Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder, and will appear in court next week.
Three other Police Officers linked to the incident have been fired and charged as well.
Adeyanju stated that if millions of Nigerians bombarded the streets to protest against Police brutality as done in America, no Security Agency would be able to suppress their voices.
His words: “It would be laughable if President Buhari dares condemn any extrajudicial killings, because he has supervised killings time and time again of Nigerian protesters, the Shiites, IPOB members, etc. The Police daily kill citizens, it is like a recurring decimal here.
“It is like the Buhari regime has legalised the extrajudicial killings of citizens. He cannot condemn such an act. You may be shocked Buhari would be rejoicing, because they have got a template, saying it is not only in Nigeria, and that it is happening in a developed country like the US.
“For me, I believe this is good news to Buhari and the Presidency. This is their regular trademark, so nobody should expect any condemnation from them, and Buhari himself would not dare, because he would be a laughing stock to the world.”
Adeyanju added that Nigerians are not protesting like their American counterparts, because they have been pushed to the point of accepting and normalising what is abnormal, because of constant human rights abuses.
Another reason, according to him, is that over the years, there have been a betrayal of trust and confidence by the people and Activists leading the struggle.
He added: “That is why the people themselves must lead the struggle. They should not wait for people to come out and lead them. Just as in America, the people do not tolerate injustice and any form of abuse of their rights, so Nigerians should learn from Americans and fellow African countries like Sudan, Tunisia, and Lebanon.
“Our people are not willing to demand what is right, and those who do so are seen as abnormal ones. The Constitution already said sovereignty lies with the people, from where the government derives all the power.
“The people are greater than the government, and the people need to realise that. It is about Nigerians knowing fully well that the real power belongs to them. Nigerians should realise that they are the reason the government exists.”