22 Oct 2007 |
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The rule of law is something Yar Adua is always talking about. This is a man that became president against the rule of law. To this day, Yar Adua is haunted by the mechanisms he rode to power. This is quite evident in his use of kid-gloves in matters that Nigerians consider paramount and urgent to the eradication of corruption. It is not enough to reverse in a go-slow manner certain things that Obasanjo’s administration cruelly mishandled. Illegality is something that cannot be cured by time or unneccessary appeasement. The only way out of illegality is to follow due process-another term which this fake administration is fond of misusing. It is amazing how Nigerians have come to live with things that are absolutely nonsensical in our modern world. What is the difference between Obasanjo and Iwu disenfranchising Nigerians and coup plotters like Babangida and Buhari subverting democratic governments? In both situations, the people are denied of their rights to elect who they want. In both cases, votes were not counted. Before a man can have the morality to talk about the rule of law, two things must be totally fulfilled. One is that such a man must be sure that he emerged by that rule of law. Secondly, such a man needs to be sure that rule of law is something that he intends to follow or pursue without fear of favor. Men of low or zero morality cannot be apostles of the rule of law or due process. In Nigeria’s version of politics, one element that is completely missing is the rule of law and Yar Adua is not the man to bring it into our lives. He lacks the morality to do that. The problem is that in Nigeria, we sweep dirt under the carpet and keep hoping (or dreaming) that the house will not smell. Tell me something I don’t know-Nigeria stinks! Arguments are rife about the need to tolerate Yar Adua and his gangs in the name of moving Nigeria forward. This is another example of the thrashes that have made us moved backwards for 47 years. Unfortunately, if Nigerians don’t start doing things the right way (which we all know), this country may never make progress. This is a country that the people have allowed sycophants and nonentities to hold sway for too long. It is much easier to destroy than to build. Hence (with the pulling down still in progress) the job of fixing Nigeria will take a longer time than it had taken to pull it down. Yet measurable progress can be expected under the right leadership in a matter of a decade. But for now, there will continue to be dearth of progress in our land simply because corruption is persisting and triumphing. We have in governance men and women who took control of our lives by force-against our will in a do-or-die battle. They are still unaccountable to us because they emerged through their own physical efforts and personal power instead of our votes. Yar Adua, David Mark and Patricia Etteh are examples of the conspicuous people who are benefitting from a charade. These men and woman are not worthy to talk about the rule of law or even due process. The main reason Patricia Etteh will prefer to die or create more deaths with her predicament as a very loud, visible and embattled speaker is because there is no rule of law under Yar Adua or in Nigeria as a whole. If there is a rule of law, Yar Adua would have emerged through normal procedures and the likes of David Mark will be defending their wealth in the court of law instead of been forced back into our lives. To continue to wish that Nigeria will be a better place in the absence of conventional norms is complete fantasy. There cannot be an escape from our entrapment if we do not have normal democracy; one in which the power rest absolutely on the people. One in which the people can decide what they want and how they want it-a democracy of participation instead of siddon-look. Nigeria needs a democracy that will empower the people to struggle and win against oppression and dictatorship. Regardless of the aftermath of the orange revolution, it was a non-violent struggle which yielded to a popular demand. Until such a time that leaders in Nigeria will emerge through the ballots that have been declared free and fair, such campaigns like the fight against corruption are simply hopeless. Mr. Yar Adua is actually mocking Nigerians by insisting on the rule of law. His government has shown extreme incapacity to bring corrupt persons and politicians under the arm of the law. The activities of Aondoakaa have been very anti-people and corruption-promoting yet all we hear is the rule of law and due process. Do these highly unreliable men take all Nigerians as fools? Right now, it is clear that this illegitimate government is not the hope for Nigerians. How could that have been? This is a dubious government completely fabricated by Obasanjo and Obasanjo only. One man stood in the way of 140m others-that is huge! How can one man enslave 140m others? Unbelievably remarkable! Nigerians should call on Yar Adua to step aside so that we can have new elections as provided for in the constitution. Yes, that will not solve the entire problems in Nigeria, but it remains the single most important step forward. It is very arguable that if we don’t conduct a successful election in Nigeria, then we will not be able to do other things in the right way especially the fight against corruption. Even if we decide to elect the same set of people (which I seriously doubt the possibilities), at least we’ll know it is our own making and then we’ll also know that we have established a system that will allow us to get rid of them in due time. In the meantime, Yar Adua should stop insulting our collective intelligence; he lacks the morality and legitimacy to enforce the rule of law. What he hurriedly inherited is a huge burden and the earlier he shelves it on the real altar of due process, the better for his health and that of Nigerians. May the glory of Nigeria come, soon! http://aderinola.wordpress.com __________________________________________________________________________________________ Adeola Aderounmu is the author of the book: The Entrapment of a nation
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