Benue State House of Assembly Speaker Aondona Dajoh has directed the immediate release of youths detained during recent protests against insecurity in the state. The order came during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, following public outcry over the arrests. Dajoh emphasized that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and urged security agencies to exercise restraint. The Assembly also pledged to investigate the circumstances of the arrests...…READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT HERE...READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE |
Speaker Dajoh reaffirmed citizens’ right to peaceful protest, calling the arrests undemocratic.
The Assembly will probe the detentions and engage authorities to prevent future violations.
The move was applauded by lawmakers and civil rights advocates as a win for democracy.
When does a government’s response to dissent define its democratic credentials? Benue’s leadership faces a critical test, balancing security concerns with civil liberties. While the Speaker’s intervention is commendable, it raises deeper questions: Why were protesters arrested in the first place? And does this signal a shift toward accountability, or is it merely damage control?
In a state plagued by violence, silencing the outcry only fuels frustration. True leadership lies in addressing the roots of unrest, not its symptoms...…READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT HERE