Says ‘No Country Has Enough Prisons’
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Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent human rights lawyer and critic of Nigeria’s governance, has called for unified resistance against leaders he accuses of ruling through fear and division. In a pointed social media post, he asserted that collective action is the antidote to these tactics, emphasizing that no regime can imprison or suppress an entire populace.
In a succinct yet fiery statement on X (formerly Twitter) on April 3, 2025, Odinkalu declared, “The people ruining the country rule by fear; they #SliceAndDice up citizens, picking us apart through #DivideAndConquer. There is an answer to them. It’s called #CollectiveAction. No country ever buys enough bullets to shoot most of its citizens, and there aren’t enough prisons for us.” This post, timestamped just 27 seconds before its capture, reflects his ongoing crusade against what he perceives as systemic oppression in Nigeria.
Odinkalu’s words paint a stark picture of a leadership that thrives on intimidation and fragmentation, employing a “divide and conquer” strategy to maintain control. His hashtags—#SliceAndDice and #DivideAndConquer—suggest a deliberate effort to splinter citizens along ethnic, political, or social lines, a tactic he claims is unraveling the nation. However, he offers a counter-strategy: #CollectiveAction, urging Nigerians to band together in defiance.
The human rights defender’s assertion that “no country ever buys enough bullets to shoot most of its citizens, and there aren’t enough prisons for us” underscores his belief in the power of mass resistance. This bold claim—suggesting that sheer numbers and solidarity can overwhelm repressive measures—is rooted in his long-standing advocacy for civic engagement and accountability. Odinkalu, a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, has frequently clashed with authorities, most recently facing calls for discipline from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over his judicial critiques.
This latest statement comes amid growing tensions over governance and rights in Nigeria, with Odinkalu positioning himself as a vocal opponent of what he calls a “ruining” elite. His message aligns with recent critiques from organizations like Amnesty International, which condemned Wike’s targeting of him as part of a broader assault on dissent. Odinkalu’s call to action taps into a simmering public frustration, evidenced by protests and online campaigns against perceived authoritarianism.
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