By Zika Bobby
Niger Governor, Umar Bago has come under criticism, following his recent order to security agents to arrest people wearing dreadlocks in Minna, as part of the measures to stem soaring cases of security breaches in the state.
Social critic, Ifeanyi Samson, has condemned the action, urging President Bola Tinubu to call the governor to order, since the action sets a dangerous precedent for other overreaching state executives, and undermines the civil liberties guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution.
In a statement, Samson reiterated that arresting or humiliating citizens based on their hairstyle was a degrading and discriminatory practice that has no place in a democratic society.
The statement read: “In a nation governed by law, no public officeholder has the authority to criminalise personal appearance. Yet, in a recent and deeply alarming development, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has directed security agencies to arrest and fine citizens found wearing dreadlocks. This is not only unconstitutional, it is an abuse of executive power, a threat to civil liberties and a disturbing sign of misplaced priorities.
“Firstly, there is no law in Nigeria, federal or state, that criminalises hairstyles or personal appearance choices, including dreadlocks. Governor Bago’s order amounts to an abuse of executive power and a flagrant disregard for constitutional liberties.
“Section 34(1) of the constitution provides that: “Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.
“Arresting or humiliating citizens based on their hairstyle is a degrading and discriminatory practice that has no place in a democratic society.
“Hairstyle choices, including dreadlocks, are expressions of personal identity, cultural heritage and in some cases, religious beliefs. There exists no legal basis, federal or state, that permits the harassment or punishment of individuals based on their appearance.
“I, therefore, call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately call Governor Bago to order. This action, if allowed to stand, sets a dangerous precedent for other overreaching state executives and undermines the civil liberties guaranteed by our Constitution.
“Let it be clear, no Governor has the constitutional authority to legislate or enforce fashion or personal identity. We must protect our democracy from creeping authoritarianism masked as moral governance.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and our Constitution, not personal sentiments, must guide our leaders.”
Aside from clamping down on dreadlocks, Governor Bago, as part of the measures to check insecurity in the state, also imposed a dusk to dawn curfew, banned the use of motorcycles and possession of weapons of any sort.