Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Thursday, June 05, 2014

Stop complaining (so loudly)

The Nigerian government seems unable to resolve the kidnapping of 200 schoolgirls. The people in power are tired of being reminded of their failures. So, make sure your protests don't cause problems for the powerful people.

Nigeria U-turn on kidnapped schoolgirl rallies

Nigerian police say peaceful rallies to demand the release of more than 200 schoolgirls seized by Islamist militants will be allowed, after earlier banning them.

But campaigners were warned to exercise caution during protests.

Abuja police commissioner Joseph Mbu said the rallies were "now posing a serious security threat".

Nigeria has seen almost daily rallies calling for the government to take firmer action to rescue the girls…

The government earlier banned public protests across Nigeria after scuffles broke out last week between demonstrators organised under the #BringBackOurGirls and a new government-sponsored group called #ReleaseOurGirls…

But a day later, another police statement denied issuing any protest banning order, insisting that they had only released an "advisory notice".

It said that there was a risk of the protest rallies being attacked by "criminal elements having links with insurgents".

Those wanting to attend such gatherings should "seek proper advice and guidance from the police" in order to "avoid any unpleasant circumstances", the statement said.

The about-turn came as the #BringBackOurGirls groups sought a court order against the ban…

The girls, who were mainly Christian, were taken from their school in Chibok, in north-eastern Borno state and are thought to be held in a remote forested area of the state, close to the border with Chad and Cameroon…