After visiting Eledureports.com, and reading a detailed account of Jonathan Elendu's experience under SSS detention, I am shocked at the inability of the Yar'Adua administration to understand that it continues to diminish its reputation.
Yar'Adua came to power with a conciliatory tone, offering an olive branch to the militants of the Delta, and exhibiting a humility that has been lacking from many of Nigeria's leaders. However, over the last few months of his tenure and particularly since his trip to Saudi Arabia for the 'lesser hajj' or medical treatment as is commonly believed, the President has seemingly taken it upon himself to exhibit non-democratic attributes, instead. For instance, the the shutdown of Channels TV, the arrest and continued detention of political bloggers Jonathan Elendu and Emeka Emmanuel Asiwe, (who is yet to see his 2 week old child) are the most recent examples of this administration's crackdown on dissenting voices.
But now, things have become even more serious what with the allegations that the SSS, a Nigerian security force that reports directly to the President, might have plans to 'waste' Elendu or make him an "American problem" - setting him up to travel with a dangerous/banned substance so that he will be arrested by the American government upon trying to enter the country.
If any of this is true, then that is very frightening. That a Nigerian should be subjected to such possibility simply for speaking his/her mind would be a travesty. What is even more disappointing is that this administration gives ammunition for such allegations to be made and gives them additional weight. By refusing to charge or 'release' bloggers like Elendu and Asiwe, this administration forces many observers to believe that there is indeed a possibility that these individuals could face further arrest or even worse. That, coupled with Nigeria's history of violence against journalists and dissenters like Dele Giwa and other journalists inexplicably 'murdered' in Lagos earlier this year, gives the impression (warranted or not) that even in a democracy 'guided by' the "Rule of Law" mantra, freedom is simply not a guarantee. And that, is the biggest travesty of all.

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Wow, you mean these bloggers haven't been released?!! What is wrong with these people? What is wrong with us? I'm praying these men are released before next wednesday so they can return to their families. In my help/hope-less state, I turn to the One who can do all things.
Meanwhile, the Yar'Adua menace keeps growing, and I suspect that because of his weak state, the sycophants and advisers he's surrounded himself with are taking advantage of his fragile mind/health and turning him into a puppet for their own interests. Exposing false threats to his administration and encouraging him to show his might through sheer (irrational) force. In the meantime, the real issues where he ought to dedicate his time/attention to continue to go neglected.
Thanks for sharing this troubling report.
WOW.. wonder what the individual can do in the face of this blatant disregard for free speech and democracy.. we seem to find new ways to expand the limits of what irrationality is all about as a country.....
This is scary. I read the whole story on elendureports.com and have a hard time marrying soft-spoken Yar' Adua to these acts. He should not permit things like this to happen on his watch. Whether he had a hand in it or not, they are done in his name.
What course is this country on?
They haven't been released? That is horrible! I haven't yet read his site, off to do that do now. This news has just left me numb and I feel so helpless.
I echo 'head and around';what course are we on?
fortheloveofme.
If this is true, it would be a shame to the President's administration. What a big shame it would bring!
I hope they don't plan on turning him or anyone else into a martyr.
There is only so much a people can take before they display their displeasure, you know...
This is horrible, and a shame. I really hope that these guys have contacts that could help them in prosecuting their captors, as these acts are both unlawful and unconstitutional. It is very sad that we have gone back to the Babangida and Abacha era, despite the so-called democracy Nigeria claims to have. And people are just folding their hands and watching? Arrghhh...
Hi SolomonSydelle,
I wish you Yuletide Joy and A Blessed New Year together with your family.
Happy Holidays!
May God help Nigeria! Holding someone in custody for so long without being charged with any crime.
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