On this auspicious occasion of June 12th Democracy Day, the Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF), a deep-rooted civic and pro-democratic governance organization in Kogi State, joins millions of Nigerians to commemorate the resilient journey of our nation’s democracy.
RECEF salutes the unwavering spirit of the Nigerian people who continue to believe in the promises of democratic governance despite daunting realities. As we mark this historic day, Nigeria undeniably stands at a critical crossroads, navigating severe economic hardships and persistent security challenges. While we acknowledge and appreciate the modest successes recorded so far by the government in tackling these multi-faceted crises, we firmly declare that these meager achievements are not enough. There must be a sustained, aggressive, and citizen-centered improvement in our economic policies and security architecture to truly deliver the dividends of democracy to the ordinary Nigerian.
Democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of intimidation, economic stagnation, or the suppression of civic spaces. Most disturbing is the reality that some state actors still possess a poor understanding of democratic tenets. A painful testament to this is the unfortunate and alarming overreach by the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). Less than 24 hours before Democracy Day, operatives of the NSCDC arrested and detained Mr. Opeyemi Owoeye, a popular journalist and Editor of the Kogi Report online newspaper. This unwarranted action is a gross misplacement of priority. At a time when security agencies should focus their full intelligence and resources on combating actual threats to public peace, targeting the press is a dangerous distraction. RECEF strongly counsels the NSCDC to be cautious. The Corps must refuse to be dragged into civil disputes or used as a tool for personal vendettas. When any individual or institution feels aggrieved by a journalist’s reportage, the proper, legal, and democratic channel for redress is a court of law, not the arbitrary deployment of armed security personnel to silence the media.
We remind all security agencies of the sacred constitutional provisions that guarantee the freedom of expression and the unhindered operation of the press in Nigeria. The media remains the watchdog of society and the fourth estate of the realm; a threat to the press is a direct assault on democracy itself. Consequently, RECEF calls on the Commandant General of the NSCDC to immediately order a thorough investigation into this incident. Whoever is involved in this illegal arrest and detention of Mr. Opeyemi Owoeye in Kogi State must be held strictly accountable and disciplined to deter future abuse of power. As we celebrate June 12th, let us remember that true democracy is built on the rule of law, institutional accountability, and human rights.
God bless Kogi State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina,
Executive Director,
Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF).
recefnigeria@gmail.com | www.recefnigeria.org
