By Nde Akumawah Eric Esq
In every society, there comes a defining moment when the moral fabric of a nation is tested—not by foreign forces, but by its own leaders, its own institutions, and its own conscience. Today, our beloved nation stands squarely at such a moment.
The recent wave of political intimidation, unlawful arrests, suppression of dissenting voices, and the relentless silencing of citizens who dare to hold alternative political opinions is not only alarming—it is an assault on our national soul.
I, Barrister Nde A. deem it in my duty to raise a clear and unwavering voice against the creeping culture of fear that has begun to eclipse our political landscape.
Political Opinion is Not a Crime
From students to teachers, traders to activists, and even seasoned professionals, citizens now speak in whispers—fearful that expressing a political preference could result in harassment, detention, or worse.
Let us be clear: Political opinion is not treason; it is a constitutional right.
No democracy can thrive in an environment where citizens are punished simply for thinking differently or for supporting a political alternative.
Suppression does not build unity; it breeds resentment, fractures communities, and weakens the very foundations upon which nations are built.
Leadership Must Be Rooted in Conscience, Not Coercion
I call upon those entrusted with power—ministers, administrators, security chiefs, parliamentarians—to look deep within and rediscover the conscience that public service demands.
A government that rules through intimidation cannot claim legitimacy.
A system that silences critics cannot claim stability.
A leadership that fears its people cannot claim victory.
True leadership is not measured by the number of opponents suppressed, but by the number of voices allowed to speak freely without fear.
The International Community Must Not Ignore the Alarms
While national solutions are crucial, we must also acknowledge that prolonged silence from the international community only emboldens authoritarian tendencies.
We call upon:
The African Union,
The United Nations,
International human rights organisations, and Global democratic partners to pay closer attention to the deteriorating civil liberties in our country.
The people cannot be left to struggle alone against systems that refuse dialogue, accountability, or reform.
We are not asking for foreign interference. We are asking for solidarity, for monitoring, and for support in restoring democratic norms that are rapidly fading.
A Nation Cannot Breathe Under Dictatorial Pressure
Whether softly spoken or forcibly imposed, dictatorship remains dictatorship.
A government that rules without listening, that punishes citizens for speaking, or that clings to power through fear rather than consent, is one that has lost its moral compass.
Our citizens deserve a country where:
Opinions are not crimes,
Elections reflect the will of the people,
The rule of law prevails over the rule of fear, and Leadership serves the nation, not the other way around.
A Final Call to Conscience
It is not too late.
The tide can be turned.
But only if those wielding authority choose courage over coercion, justice over intimidation, and conscience over convenience.
History remembers those who used their power responsibly—and those who abused it.
Let us ensure, for the sake of generations to come, that we are remembered as a nation that reclaimed its democratic spirit, rather than one that surrendered it. This is my plea, my warning, and my unwavering call for justice.
