Unclear Messages from the Nigerian Government

[Toyin Falola]

It is unclear to me two messages coming out of Nigeria, one from a media person and the other from a high ranking minister.

 

The first one from the media man: Take what you hear from me as if it is the President himself talking to you? Can anyone interpret this?

 

The second one from the Minister: you are cowards if three bandits appear with guns and you cannot fight them?

 

Is the first an abdication of presidential power in a democracy?

Is the second a violation of the fundamental objective of a state? I thought the very first thing that a state promises you is security and law and order?

 

I am confused.

TF

[Moses Ochonu]

“Herdsmen have a right to go around with AK-47s”

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi

“Not all bandits are criminals” and “bandits deserve sympathy from Nigerians”

Governor Mutawalle of Zamfara

“You are cowards if you run away from bandits.....defend yourself, but I don’t support Nigerians acquiring arms to defend themselves”

Defense Minister Bashir Magashi

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 18, 2021, at 2:10 PM, Toyin Falola <toyin...@austin.utexas.edu> wrote:



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