Open Letter to Mr Segun Adeniyi (Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity)

Dear Mr Adeniyi,

I am using this unconventional method of reaching you since these are unconventional times in Nigeria (as I recently saw an article attributed to you in SaharaReporters, one of the online publications that your boss and his administration are said to regard as subversive, I concluded that you, at least on occasion, trawl through cyberspace in search of news). In what is fast becoming an obvious and disturbing pattern, what the Yar'Adua administration doesn't like, the Yar'Adua administration crushes – or at least it tries to. 

The recent arrest of Jonathan Elendu, his detention without charge and, from what I gather, the despicable manner in which he has been tossed between the SSS and EFCC offices without access to his family or legal representation is tragic. In as much as I sincerely hope that the young man will either be formally charged without further delay (if, indeed, he is guilty of any crime) or released immediately and unconditionally, what is of far greater concern to me is that there are many, many, more Jonathan Elendus out there. People whose human rights are decimated day in day out by an administration whose excesses have undeniably come to symbolize man's brazen inhumanity to man. From the spectacular theft of public funds to the hapless individuals who are picked up, locked up, beaten up, sometimes killed by security agencies that ultimately answer to your boss simply for saying things the way they see them, for speaking out against injustice. Then there are those who just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. 

What I have been struggling to reconcile is how all of this – and other acts of "madness" such as the charade at the EFCC about which governor's corruption case file does or does not exist, the alleged attempt by the Nigerian attorney-general to bury the money laundering case against James Ibori in the UK, the 28 returning soldiers who are being tried for mutiny for allegedly staging a peaceful protest over the callous withholding of their salaries after completing a UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia, the Africans for Obama campaign fund-raising saga involving the director-general of the Nigerian stock exchange – can be happening  under your watch, given your antecedents. Without as much as a peep from you. I find it hard to believe that the president or the presidency does not have a position on any of those issues. Or perhaps they are not considered serious enough to warrant a statement from your office. When your boss was interviewed by Matthew Green of the Financial Times in May 2008, he was asked to talk about his achievements during his first year as Nigeria's president. His response was instructive. "I think my greatest achievement is the effort to institute a strict culture of respect for the rule of law in Nigeria." When a man's greatest achievement after ruling a country for a year is an "effort" you know you have a problem. Of course, we all know where that effort has led – 17 dithering months into the Yar'Adua presidency.

I would like to take you back to the Elendu issue if I may. Please correct me if I am wrong, but when individuals express their candid opinions about the moral fiber of the political class (the way you used to in your previous job) that runs contrary to what the powers-that-be would have one believe, should those individuals be branded enemies of the state? Should they be made to apologise for expressing their honest-to-goodness opinions (in the forthright way that you used to)? I'm sure that in recent times you've come across colorful language such as "thieves," "thieving bastards," "reprobates,"  "gangsters," "rogues" etc. that abounds in newspapers, internet chat rooms and so on when describing Nigerian politicians. As unpalatable as such appellations must be for the recipients, anyone that contributes – in whatever shape or form – to the mindless looting of the national treasury and the cruel disenfranchisement of generations of his fellow man deserves all the opprobrium, vilification and anything else that society can hurl at him. 

Unwittingly, as a result of its ill-advised attempts at gagging free speech, the Yar'Adua administration is creating a new class of Nigerian journalists and writers – in the broadsheets and in the strictly online domain – who are fast acquiring rock star status. Nigerians such as me can identify with them and derive a vicarious release from their musings. The more desperate and oppressive the government becomes with its undemocratic actions, the more concerted and vitriolic the response from the custodians of the truth. Some of the rock stars appear to have been born fearless, some are tired of being afraid while some are afraid of being tired. The band is growing by the day. There is far too much at stake for it not to. 

Please push for the immediate release of Jonathan Elendu!

Please push for justice for the 28 returning Nigerian soldiers!

Please push for the unceremonious sack (and prosecution, as appropriate) of inept and morally bankrupt public officials!

Please ensure that the Yar'Adua administration practises what it preaches about the rule of law!

Please set an example and do the honourable thing by resigning if you won't or can't do the above!

Yours sincerely,

Olayitan Oke

Robot  Villager

# 1 The recent arrest of Jonathan Elendu, his detention without charge and, from what I gather, the despicable manner in which he has been tossed between the SSS and EFCC offices without access to his family or legal representation is tragic. In as much as I sincerely hope that the young man will either be formally charged without further delay (if, indeed, he is guilty of any crime) or released immediately and unconditionally, what is of far greater concern to me is that there are many, many, more Jonathan Elendus out there....Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 29.10.2008 06:15

Firma  Villager

# 2 The global evolution about redress of violation of human rights and fundamental freedom has overvome its usual limitation to place and time. I am sure none of the present Nigerian leaders may escape been tried for any allegations of violation of Human rights under their responsibilities and/or their oversight, even when their term of office would have been out of power or passed away. Posted by Firma| 29.10.2008 06:58

Bode Eluyera  In Purgatory

# 3 Segun Adeniyi has LOST his CONSCIENCE long time ago, therefore, it will be naive of us to expect him to do the RIGHT thing!!! Posted by Bode Eluyera| 29.10.2008 22:06

EezeeBee  Villager

# 4 Thank you for an excellent article! At the very beginning, when he typed that tripe about 'going to America to learn' I DISMISSED Segun Adeniyi; SADLY he has proven my initial skepticism to be correct. Again, I await an opportunity for him to prove me wrong. I DO NOT expect he will even ATTEMPT to do a single thing you have requested/suggested. But I'll be HAPPY to be proved wrong in that regard. Posted by EezeeBee| 30.10.2008 06:16

Danmeka  Villager

# 5 My Brother,why are you wasting your time, Mr Adeniyi has lost his soul and playing to the tune of his sick master. Posted by Danmeka| 31.10.2008 19:57