The police in Delta State, southern Nigeria, using tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters is a violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
Development Diaries reports that hundreds of youths and older men and women from the Ndokwa area of the state on Monday barricaded the Kwale axis of the Ughelli-Asaba expressway in a protest against over 16 years of darkness.
According to media reports, the protesters chanted songs of grievances and displayed placards with various inscriptions, such as ‘Light Up Ndokwa Nation’, ‘Electricity in Ndokwa Land: Enough is Enough; Nepa No, IPP Yes’, among others.
It is understood that the protesters were dispersed with tear gas by police officers at about 9:00am, but later mobilised and continued with the protest.
These citizens were not armed criminals; they were simply demanding their rights after 16 years of living in darkness while electricity generated in their backyard powers other states.
Using force on people who are already suffering shows a deep lack of empathy and respect for human rights. No one should be punished for speaking out against injustice.
The people of Ndokwa have every right to protest. It is unacceptable that the Okpai Independent Power Plant supplies power to nine other states, yet the communities closest to it remain without electricity.
The Ndokwa people have endured a gross socio-economic injustice, living in darkness beside a power plant meant to serve them.
These people have had to buy fuel daily to power their generators while living beside a facility that should be lighting up their homes. After so many years, their frustration is more than justified.
According to section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian constitution, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.
Electricity is essential for modern living; hence, denying communities electricity for 16 years undermines their welfare and violates this fundamental objective of government.
Also, section 17, subsection three (a) of the constitution states that ‘the State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that all citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood’.
Furthermore, sections 39 and 40 mention citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
Electricity is vital for securing livelihoods, running small businesses, and accessing opportunities. Prolonged darkness in a power-generating community like Ndokwa clearly violates this provision.
Development Diaries calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egebtokun, to call his men to order and devise better, safer ways to handle protests, dialogue, mediation, and respect for citizens’ voices.
We also call on the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, to fulfil his administration’s promise of electricity. Recall that the Deputy Governor of the state, John Oyeme, had said electricity will be restored to Ndokwa communities within two months.
