Abiodun Ogunkoya speaks with FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON on the psychological impact of the state of emergency on the common ones within the states and the best way to tackle the situation by the government without putting the common man in such pain.
What psychological effect do you think the state of emergency rule will have on the residents of the three days in which they are declared?
The effect on the common man will be that of fear, insecurity, rebellion and distrust in their government. When a state of emergency is declared, it means that all efforts to bring peace are abortive and thus force is to be used. There will be curfews and restrictions and in effect, people are grounded at home. What will become of the common ones, who live virtually from hand to mouth, who could not afford any meal unless they go out on a daily basis to sort for a means of livelihood? There is bound to be hunger and fear all over the place. The less privileged ones are usually the ones to suffer because the so called cabals who are usually the cause of the problems most times are buoyant enough to sustain themselves even when situations like that happen. The common ones on the other hand are usually disadvantaged and helpless. They become stranded and grounded and have to deal with hunger on a daily basis. With time, if the situation persists, it may lead to rebellion and revolting which may cost even more lives if care is not taken. You can imagine during the strike in the country sometime ago, at a time people could not bear the situation again, they started revolting and causing havoc all over the place. Although the declaration of these states as emergency may be because of good intention to rectify issues, the common man is always the one to suffer the most. It is not usually in their favour.
National Mirror