A Plea for Mercy, Justice and Humanity for the Alleged Coup Victims
By: Hamman Abdulkareem
My heart goes out to the wives, children and families of the military officers currently facing the consequences of the alleged coup attempt. Their wives have repeatedly made press appeals for the release of their husbands, and behind every headline and press briefing are families living with uncertainty, pain and fear.
Life is full of risks. Sometimes the choices we make produce the outcome we hope for; sometimes they do not. But when the consequences arrive, we must also remember the human beings behind those consequences. Whatever the court may ultimately decide concerning these officers, they are husbands, fathers and members of families whose children still need their fathers’ guidance, love and presence as they grow.
I sympathise deeply with these families. They are the ones carrying the emotional burden of decisions in which they may have had no part.
Regarding the officer who is alleged to have betrayed his colleagues, particularly the Lieutenant Colonel said to be from the South-South, I believe that everyone must ultimately answer to his conscience, history and, above all, God. If a person betrays colleagues for worldly benefits, no position, privilege or foreign appointment can permanently shield him from destiny. Rumours may circulate about military appointments abroad, but only established facts should be treated as facts. Whatever happens, time has a way of revealing the consequences of our choices.
As the Colonel reportedly stated, his action was motivated by patriotism. Whether that judgment was right or wrong is a matter for the law and history to determine. Ultimately, however, God remains the final judge of the intentions in every human heart.
Nigeria certainly needs rescue from many of its difficulties. We need a country where insecurity, poverty, corruption, unemployment and hardship are confronted with courage and seriousness. But in a democracy, even when we strongly disagree with the government, the struggle for change should be pursued through democratic institutions and lawful means, including the National Assembly, elections, the courts, civil society and the power of the Nigerian people.
A military coup cannot be the permanent answer to Nigeria’s problems.
My greatest prayer now is for mercy and federal pardon, where legally and constitutionally possible, for those who may qualify for such consideration.
Let us remember that behind every convicted or imprisoned officer is a family. There are children who will grow up asking why their father is not at home. There are wives who must carry the responsibilities of both parents. There are children who need their father’s voice, discipline, protection and guidance.
Justice is important. National security is important. Democracy is important. But compassion is also important.
If mercy can be extended without undermining justice, let it be considered.
If reconciliation is possible, let us pursue it.
If federal pardon is legally available and appropriate, let the authorities consider it with humanity.
These officers may have made choices that brought them before the law, but their children did not choose those decisions. Their wives did not choose them either.
Let us therefore separate the actions of the accused from the innocent families who continue to suffer the consequences.
May God comfort the wives and children, give wisdom to the authorities, guide our courts, and continue to protect Nigeria from anything that threatens her peace and democracy.
May justice be done, but may mercy never be forgotten.
And may God judge every one of us according to the truth in our hearts and the choices we make.
Amen.
Hamman Abdulkareem
Publisher hammanmedia
