[dropcap]L[/dropcap]et’s talk about intellectual dishonesty. And cowardice. In the 90’s during the pro democracy struggle the intellectuals of NADECO agitated for freedom for the late Kenule Saro Wiwa because it was the right thing to do, and because it fed nearly into their narrative and political agenda.
In justifying our agitation for Saro-Wiwa’s freedom, we exaggerated his goodness and minimized his weaknesses, because to do otherwise would be to compromise our “ideals.” Saro-Wiwa was later murdered in 1995 by the military goons. By the way, ask Muhammadu Buhari what he thinks of the extra-judicial murder of Saro-Wiwa by his friend Sani Abacha.
Today, the same intellectuals are silent at the vile and unjust treatment of Nnamdi Kanu, because it does not fit into their latest narrative and political agenda. To justify their silence, they exaggerate Kanu’s failings and minimize his goodness. What is wrong is wrong.
There is absolutely no other explanation for the cowardly silence that has greeted the unlawful incarceration of Kanu. None, other than to rail against it would be to tell the truth about their extremely poor judgment in helping Bola Tinubu to hand over Nigeria to Buhari’s gulag.
Let us hope that it ends well for Kanu. Let’s call it what it is: Intellectual dishonesty. And cowardice.
I ask again and again, what has Kanu said and done against Nigeria that President Buhari has not said and done in the past? Why are we like this?
History matters. Let us not forget their perfidy. Ever.
Ikhide Ikheloa is a writer and literary critic. He is one of The Trent’s Elite Bloggers. He tweets from @ikhide.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
