The reported arrest and transfer of Cross Riverian, Denis Odama, over allegations relating to his criticism of the government raises a fundamental question about the kind of leadership we want for Cross River.
Let me be clear: leadership is not intimidation.
When a citizen disagrees with a government, the first responsibility of leadership is to listen. Find out what troubles the citizen. Understand the grievance. Engage the criticism. Correct misinformation where necessary and, where the criticism is legitimate, have the courage to address it.
A governor is elected to serve the people, not to silence them. Government possesses enormous institutional power. The citizen possesses little more than his voice. That power imbalance places a greater responsibility on government to exercise restraint, tolerance and wisdom.
If Denis Odama has committed a criminal offence, let the law take its proper course. He should be informed of the allegation, accorded due process and brought before a competent court. But if his offence is simply that he criticized government or reminded those in authority of promises made to the people, then that is a matter for dialogue, not intimidation.
The Constitution guarantees the freedom to express opinions and impart ideas and information, while also protecting personal liberty subject to lawful procedures.
I therefore call for the immediate release of Denis Odama unless the authorities have a lawful basis for his continued detention and are prepared to place the matter before a competent court in accordance with due process.
And if the Governor truly had no knowledge of this action, as has been reported, then the relevant authorities must explain who authorized it and on what basis.
Cross River deserves a government that can hear disagreement without seeing dissent as hostility.
A government that listens is stronger than a government that intimidates.
A government that answers questions is stronger than one that arrests the questioner.
A government that protects its people earns their trust.
That is the Cross River I believe in.
WE ARE ONE PEOPLE
WE ARE ONE CROSS RIVER
We deserve A FRESH START.
John Upan Odey is a Cross Riverian, and Governorship Candidate of NDC.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, John Upan Odey, and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.
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