#Revolution Now: FG Should Make Lenient Use Of Extant Laws Against Sowore-Dr. Ehiogie West Idahosa

Dr. Ehiogie West Idahosa has said that the call by Sowore for
revolution was for a peaceful demonstration and not for violence or
Unconstitutional overthrow of government.

Dr. West-Idahosa, who is a former Member of the House of
Representatives and a Private Legal Practitioner, said the call was
for institutional reforms to improve the quality of lives in
Nigeria

According to him the call by Sowore was fired by the reality
confronting most Nigerians in uttering the words that led to his
arrest and detention. 

“From the point of cognitive Psychology, it can be argued that
the language used by Sowore was largely founded on frustration.
Viewed from the aggression- frustration theory, there is no strong
language used in communication that is not propelled by
frustration. 

“Even at that, from a sensible community construction of the
words used by Sowore and the demands made by the #RevolutionNow
group, it is clear that their real intention was not more than a
call for mass protest against the all-round disequilibrium in the
country and nothing more pretentious.

He further said that the clamor for change would remain a
recurring decimal in the annals of mankind.

“No wonder the amiable and modern-day literary powerhouse,
Chimamanda Adichie in March 2011, while commenting on the
socio-political/economic atmosphere in Nigeria, said that “much
needs to change – the occasional violence, the deep rot of a
patronage system, the lukewarm participation of a jaded middle
class.” What Adichie talked about then is worse today.

“The word revolution has several meanings. The popular one
according to Wikipedia is a reference to a very sharp change made
to something. The word comes from Latin and is related to the word
revolution (which means a turn around). From the video clips in
circulation, Sowore himself never called for a violent struggle or
an unconstitutional regime change. 

“The narratives of visiting Kanu in  Isreal and the hearsay
account of how he threatened the future existence of  DSS are
at best stretched to call a dog a bad name in order to hang
him.

“I have never met this Sowore of a person and would have no
reason to defend him. I only speak as a student of revolutionary
studies.

He said that there are several typologies of revolution, which
include political, socio-economical, agricultural, industrial,
rural, insurgency, ethnic cleansing, etc. 

“A close study of the elements of the one under reference shows
that it is situated in the socio-economic prototype revolution,
judging from the demands of the aspiring-revolution canvassers.

“In other words, these are demands for institutional reforms to
improve the quality of lives in Nigeria. 

“The usual reaction to these demands in standard democracies, is
the government’s guarantee to change the systemic deficiencies and
thereafter work to improve the socio-economic system for the good
of all.

“It is unusual to hound those clamoring for an improved system
in a non- violent manner as we are witnessing today. 

“Indeed, several violent revolutions are going on in the country
now that should worry the government more than the threat of an
inchoate aspiring non- violent revolution. What do we think is
going on with the violence that is now associated with herdsmen and
bandits? They are pure violent revolutions aimed at disrupting the
social order and revolt against the government. 

“They are akin to guerrilla war against the Nigerian State and
its citizens. 

“For now, the government needs to spend its energy and resources
to deal with the mess that those herdsmen and bandits daily
create.

“Sowore‘s arrest and detention should really not go beyond the
limit of severe reprimand for the impressions conveyed by the type
of language he used within the context of our constitutional
democracy.  

“At least, one lesson is clear to all of us now; let us guard
our tongues carefully, even if we are very angry with the state of
our nation. 

“Let the Federal Government be lenient to Sowore,” he said.