According to Oxford Advanced Leaner’s Dictionary, a Critic “Is a person who expresses opinions about the good and bad qualities of Books, Music, etc; A person who expresses disapproval of and talks about their bad qualities, especially publicly”
In the world of today’s Democratic culture which allows for free association, speech, thinking etc, critics are abound. These are people who hold different opinions from others, including what the majority think about a particular issue or policy.
Infact, critics contribute a lot to the society because they usually keep their subjects on their toes. Even in the Bible, some of the Disciplines questioned Jesus over some decisions he took. The Devil came out boldly to challenge God. But God did not kill him, but showed the Devil that He is not only his creator, but superior.
Therefore, criticisms are part and parcel of Governance because critics mostly remind the leaders the areas they failed to touch in delivering divendends to the masses which their sycophantic and gullible Aides cannot muster the courage to tell them in order to retain their offices.
Today in Nigerian Democracy, it is only fools who may not have observed that the formation of the All Progressive Congress APC has put the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP on her toes since last year. The “bombs” rolling out from the stable of the irrepressible Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, has led Chief Olisa Metu, holding same office in PDP, to be alert of the frequent bashings from his opponent.
Lai Mohammed walks freely, and has not been arrested nor assassins sent after him. There is no cause for that because he is rendering service to APC and Nigerians.
When Olisa Metu described APC as “Jaja weed” no body made attempts on his life. He was simply responding to Media and putting the opponents on the defensive.
And very important to note, is that all these criticisms are carried out through the Media; either Print or Electronics, to the masses. This is the reason the Press is called the Fourth Estate of the Realm in a Democratic society.
And this is the reason also most Journalists and other writers are at risk if they found themselves in a hostile environment governed by a Dictator. Dictators are usually afraid of criticisms, and therefore not given to advise, as they believe that whatever they say is final. That, though, is the norm in a military setting, not in a Democratic system. But some times elected officers morph into dictators.
But, any elected officer who does not give his ear to public criticisms is not a democrat and therefore not qualified to occupy high offices at the detriment of the masses through their mandates.
Unfortunately, despite desperate efforts by some leaders to shut up the media and critics, which have all failed in the past yet some have continued to try.
During the military regime in Nigeria, one of the Brightest Journalist that ever came out from this clime, Mr Dele Giwa was bombed to death in his house in Lagos.
But rather than cow the Media with that dastardly act, the Nigerian Media have since then become more sophisticated, bold, fearless and emboldened to tackle corrupt and wicked leaders.
Therefore, trying to snuff life out of a Journalist or critics is like saying that Aspirants will not jostle for the position of a Governor or president simply because that last occupier was killed in office.
Journalism is a Profession, and no amount of threats, intimidations, even outright murder of the practitioner can stop criticisms. That a Doctor died of Ebola disease cannot deter others from practicing the trade.
Therefore, what leaders ought to realize is that criticisms are part of Governance and cannot be wished away. Instead, such leaders should develop an open mind to live with the works of the critics, take the ones they can and leave the rest, but not try to extinguish the critic because it is not possible.
For a leader to wish to have a “Good Media” he/she should strive to listen to criticisms. One American President said that it is better to live in a world with Newspapers, than one with humans without information.
People say Information is power. Another says the pen is mightier than the sword.
Both ruling and opposition parties need the Media to succeed. When a politician wants power, he uses the Media to champion his course, including propaganda and all. But when he/she gets into office, and same media begins to scrutinize his/her activities in office, the Media becomes an enemy. The leader this time will never remember that it was the same media which helped in pushing out the incumbent before he/she mounted the throne. This has been the lot of Journalists.
They are used and dumped, and called names if they decide to stick by the ethics.
In the 2011 Imo Governorship election, “Media Goodwill” contributed immensely to the emergence of Owelle Rochas Okorocha as the fifth civilian Governor of Imo state. “Goodwill”, because most of the Media battles waged in favour of Okorocha were not paid for. Then it was a spontaneous decision from the Media men to support a man who they felt was being persecuted. This was despite the good relationship they had with the sitting Governor then.
For instance, during the period the former Governor of Imo state, Chief Achike Udenwa had a political battle with Owelle Rochas Okorocha over the soul of Imo state, I, with some veteran “Local Journalists” like Sabinus Elemba, Bright Chimezie, Chidebere Iwuoha, the late Ben Obinna, Kennedy Eweama, Damian Opara, Late Peter Okereafor, Fidelis Sorowe etc, elected to fight for Okorocha with even our lives if need be. This was without even meeting Okorocha any day.
We continued that battle until Okorocha was allowed into Imo under a tumultuous welcome which shook the state. Right from the Sam Mbakwe Airport to Rochas Foundation Okigwe road, to Ogboko, these Journalists escorted Okorocha. Chief Chyna Iwuanyawu is alife to confirm this, because he handled Okorocha’s Media then.
Chief Achike Udenwa was an amiable fellow who extended hands of fellowship to Journalists in Imo. It was during his era that Hon ThankGod Ezeani established Announcer Newspaper, with fire-eating Nze Joe Anyama as the Managing Director, Editor-in-chief, under whose tutelage my Journalism career flourished.
Udenwa allowed Announcer to be. There was no story on earth we did not publish, provided they were facts.
Announcer Newspaper was a free spirit since it was one of the few Newspapers based in Imo and privately owned.
The rest were National Post, owned by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and National Times owned by Bright Chimezie and Co.
Announcer Express was hiting Imo Government hard every day with hot stories that were all facts. The matter got to a head one day that then Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Nze Imo Umunna invited me and Nze Joe Anyama to his Taurus office. From the gate to his office, no harassment, until we were ushered into his office. Chief Boni Ebili who brokered the parley was seated.
Umunna asked us what the Udenwa administration did to Announcer and we replied it did nothing, only that a Journalist must always publish factual stories to inform the reading public and sale his papers. We asked him why he ordered LGAs, Government parastatals etc not to do business with Announcer? And Umunna replied that he cannot do business with an enemy, but that having clearly been informed that Announcer had no personal grudges against the Udenwa Government, he will lift the “embergo”.
As promised, Umunna did, but Announcer kept to its policy of educating the masses. That did stop Udenwa from doing the great things he did for Imo Journalists. At a point he knew our names one by one, and joked with us when the criticisms get many.
If you lose a relation, want to marry, child dedication, or even school fees, Udenwa through his Chief of staff, Dr Vin Udokwu, and Chief Press Secretary, Sir Bright Nwelue really reached out. There was no Newspaper singled out for discrimination due to its Editorial policy. Every person was carried along. From Government activities to whatever “goes to” Journalists in the state.
No Journalist was attacked. The only time I went to police detention during the Udenwa era was because of a story Announcer carried about MASSOB and Biafra. And Abuja ordered that we be arrested and detained.
I, my Boss Nze Joe Anyama, and then Publisher of National Question, Chief Sanfo Nwankwo.
But we were released after Governor Udenwa intervened.
When Governor Ikedi Ohakim came into office in 2007, he received the highest bashing any Governor in the state has ever received. The reason was that many “Local Newspapers” had emerged in the state, unlike during the Udenwa era when they were just about three.
I was among the top critics of the Ohakim Government until I joined the administration as the Chief Press Secretary and got the Baptism of fire. It was my best friends in the Profession, Uncle Sam Onwuemedo whom I gave a regular column in Announcer Express, which I called x-ray, Steve Uzoechi, who worked under me in Announcer, Val Okara, the SUN Correspondent, and Ebere Uzokwa of Leadership Newspaper who gave me the worst problem.
When I call Uncle Sam, he will tell me he was only advising the Governor. Val, Steve and Ebere will drink with me till late night, but the next day I will see a screaming Headline “attacking” Ohakim. Announcer which I left to join Government was more dangerous and critical.
It took me some weeks to realize that I was now on the other side of the fence, while my friends and colleagues were still same critic which I was a few months ago, and therefore had to remain in business of informing the masses.
After a few months, it sank in and I discovered there is no Government in the world that will not have critics, no matter how good they think they are doing.
From hence, I embraced my friends and showed them I am one of their own. Today many local Tabloids in Imo are still counting the blessings they reaped from my office. Though I may not have reached or pleased everyone, but I can beat my chest and say I carried over 80% of the Journalists in the state along during my stay in that office.
However, the only sour point were when over zealous security men accosted Mr Wale Oluoku of Radio Nigeria and beat him up. And I followed the matter until the security personnel who assaulted him was posted out and “something” done to assuage the assault the Journalist sustained.
The other one was that concerning Comrade Samuelson Iwuoha and they alleged flogging by Gov Ohakim.
I need not much to say on this matter, as the Speaker of Imo House of Assembly, Rt Hon Benji Uwajumogu, and his Aides are in a good stead now to give a verdict if really Ohakim flogged Samuelson. I say this because of what Uwajumogu has passed through after appointing him as one of his Aides.
Till date Ohakim calls Imo Journalists frequently on his own to find out how they are doing. He developed his own personal relationship with them. This is open to verification.
Let me say that while I do not know about what Journalist now are benefiting or not from the incumbent administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha, or their relationship with the Governor I will say that Trumpeta Newspaper has not find it easy with the administration.
Trumpeta is not invited to Government function, yet whatever is sent by them in the mail Box are usually used. The other day Trumpeta reporter was throw out of Internal Conference Centre for no reason
I for one live with both eyes open everyday and night since 2011. The only thing I do for a living is Journalism and have been in the business till the present administration came into office. When Trumpeta publish good News, the Government and its agents will not read of it or hear. But when the paper publishes one that looks critical, the entire staff is threatened by these goons.
One November 22, 2011, I was openly attacked by those I know work for the present administration. I was left for dead in the gutter. Thank God, two of those who masterminded that assault against me have since lost their positions and now in opposition.
Recently, a columnist with Trumpeta Prof Protus Uzoma alleged that four people were killed in his premises attempting to murder him. There was such an attempt on 17, March 2013. And Protus allegedly pointed accusing fingers at some directions.
For me, I have escaped various attempts on my life without making them public since I don’t know who they are or who sent them, but my family and friends say they know who sent them. And I know they will still continue until they finally kill me. But when you kill one critic have you silenced others?
The irony of it all is that the gullible public may not bother about such hostilities. “After all those involved are not my relations, friends or business partners”. They will say.`
But Martin Niemoller has this to say about the Czar regimes in Russia. “First they came for socialists, and I did not speak, because I was not a socialist. Then they came for Trade Unionists, and I did not speak because I was not one. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me”.
For those of us who live on writing, what do we do? Can one change profession now because of a hostile environment? Or shall we die in the course of this chosen career? Maybe. But only when God says so, for in His hands my life dwells.
