In theory, the Nigerian people have constantly been reminded that the country is functioning under a people’s constitution, but the reality is that the military imposed 1999 constitution is for the first time in 20 years exhibiting its full showing with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in power. Buhari might not be active in the military but his behaviour towards the citizenry which is being practised by anyone that has some degree of official influence is manned with public insecurity and pain.
The people are steadily in fear of the government, the authorities and fully vulnerable under the regime of Buhari.
In a military type of democracy clothed in democratic politics, unknown and known powers fund, promote, supply, aid and abet lawlessness. The government’s illegal use of the military, the police and other security forces against any type of peaceful protest or citizens has resulted in a psychological game where the judiciary is in a state of helplessness. Under the Buhari regime, civil and human rights have been rolled back dramatically and enormously. There is a sense of unsettlement across the country as everything is almost out of control. Under the Buhari type democracy, fear of crime, fear of the police, and the security forces continue to plague the lives of the citizens in a way that is unrecognisable to the brain.
Income inequality, religious divide, economic depression, ethnic extremism, and dwindling education under Buhari have left the people scared and tired.
The consequences of Buhari-type democracy have pushed many individuals into living in depression.
The great moral-psychological question now is who or what will save us from Buhari or Buharism as a polity? Because we can’t continue like this.
Prof Egbeazien Oshodi, a forensic psychologist, United States
END
Be the first to comment