Since the #ENDSARS protest started, it has become obvious that many are keeping records of those who have been dining, wining, and benefiting from our oppressors. Some days ago, when Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters tried to join the protest in Abuja, he was rebuffed and told the truth that he has been a part of the problem as a politician and publisher. Fela Durotoye was given a pill of his skewed motivational medicine in rhymes when he tried including himself via Twitter. Pastor Fatoyinbo was resoundingly checkmated when he attempted to join the online protest also. The like of Japheth J. Omojuwa and other Buhari youth supporters are nowhere to be found because they know that the venom that will be unleashed on them can cause a generational catastrophe. The last few days have been nothing short of tumultuous. One of my fears before now was that if we eventually get it right, the recirculation of evil and unreasonable men and women will continue. I have often felt that the actions of these individuals often go unpunished. In the past, they can easily maneuver their ways from one government to the order with juicy portfolios by playing their cards craftily to be in the good books of the new government. Kingpins of this administration like Festus Keyamo and Babatunde Fashola can easily become stakeholders in a new government. But the game has changed, and we must remain steadfast to expand this real change and awareness.

I reach out to the innocent citizens who have lost their lives and properties in this struggle for our collective good. Their sacrifices and the sacrifice of our hero’s past will not be in vain. We must continue to keep records. The politicians who have aligned with our oppressors, the labour executives like Adams Oshiomhole who have schemed or are scheming their way to the top must be called out. The religious leaders like Father Mbaka who is a ready tool for corrupt politicians must be put where they belong. The media Houses and journalists who promote this government and its policies must be noted. The Monarchs who are silent in the face of the decimation and ethnic cleansing going on must be archived. Yes! We must keep records. Take screenshots of posts and comments of the beneficiaries and supporters of bad governance. Also, note family and friends who fall into these categories. They cannot be trusted in the new nation or nations that will emerge. It is the recycling of individuals like Buhari, Obasanjo, Kalu, and many others that have contributed to placing us in this mess. We must send a truly clear message to anyone trying to follow their footsteps that we are watching and recording and downloading their post, comments, actions, and inactions. And when the time is right, we will upload it.

Nigerians, just as we don’t want SARS to become SWAT, we must not allow the old and present breed politicians to metamorphose into a new breed when we are in a new era. Because as we speak, they are perfecting their scheme to falsely join the struggle after benefiting from Buhari’s spoil. We must not allow them. We have suffered too long. Too many of our families and friends have died due to inadequate healthcare. Too many of us have lost opportunities that diminish every day because these opportunities are waylaid for their children. Too many of us are in political or economic exile because of the continued plundering of our commonwealth. The time for the real change that they could not make happen is now. This is our opportunity to make the changes that bear our terms and conditions. We must not retreat because another opportunity might not present itself again in our lifetime. So, as the Nigerian security apparatus strategize to overcome us after failing to overcome Boko Haram, Bandits and kidnappers, let us remain resolute and courageous. We must re-enact the heroism of our heroes past like the Hausa Heroine Amina, Aba Woman, Fela, Gani, Kokori, and others. History beckons!

Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com