By C J OKOLI-AKIRIKA ESQ
Decades ago, a renowned political scientist of note and acclaim, positively and instructively asserted that the law is the prophecies of what the courts will say and nothing more pretentious.This, self evidently manifested in the recent court judgement, which has elicited diverse and dviergent perspectives. The judgment is the latest in the implosive wranglings in the affairs of African Democratic Congress ( “ADC” herein).
The court judgement, though of first instance, has in the interim, expectedly devasted the ADC in structure and decimated it in spirit.
Superficially, the judgement may seem to be normative judicial exercise. Contextually, it signposted the trajectory of foreboding events preceding the forthcoming 2027 Presidential Election
It is indubitable that the contest for victory in the fast approaching general elections will be fierce and fretful and as undisguisedly asserted by the incumbent President when the Catholic Church leadership visited him, all is fair in politics.
That assertion was circumstantially weighty and characteristically measured considering the pedigree of the speaker and the addressees
Therefore, that the entrenched rules and due process will be subverted to ensure ” victory by all means possible” will not be speculated, just as that the institutions and apparatus of government to suffer partisan interference if not outright manipulation and insidious invasion should be anticipated.
This scenario is already manifest.
Therefore, the recent court judgement, which is later in time and allegedly inconsistent with earlier judgements of court of cordinate jurisdiction ( thankfully, the Presidency acknowledged this through Temitope Ajayi the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity) should not be seen as merely an ADC misfortune or set back but an invitation to all to forge unity of purpose for the benefit of generality of Nigerians.
Considering the peculiar circumstances of this case ( and cognate cases pending in courts), the extant political exigencies, electoral calendar and timeframe wisdom demands and recommends sacrifice for unity of purpose.
Today, it is ADC. Tomorrow it could be any other party or individual.
Previously, it was attack on NDC in Delta and Akwa Ibom States. Later, it was attempted disruption of ADC mega rally in Sokoto State.
INEC’s enforcement of the Supreme Court judgement in the matter of party membership register is presently enmeshed in unwarranted, and albeit avoidable controversies in Kano and Kaduna States. This ought not to be if INEC had adopted objectivity and transparency
Furthermore, INEC’s public admission on the existence of officially invented “ghost voters” in the voters register is a pointer that all will be “fair” to eventuate the success of the incumbent in this forthcoming election.
The above demonstrates the “unity of purpose” by the arms and institutions of government ( the Judiciary, INEC and security agencies) to achieve a predetermined, even if preposterous, result.
Correlatively, the same ought to engender a unity of purpose for curtailment and containment of workers of mischief in whatever form or guise
The method, subject matter and theatres may vary but the object and target of the actions of the promoters and patrons of electoal malfeasance remain the same: the frontline opposition elements.
On a personal note, while H E Atiku Abubakar may be presently facing ” judicial” persecution, H E Peter Obi should not rule out administrative prosecution. In a wider spectrum, NDC is not entirely free from the virus that is currently afflicting ADC.
Court cases are still existing ( and could by ingeniously conjured) and the prophecies of what the courts will say, which are not entirely guaranteed, shall be binding on and enforceable by all authorities and persons in any part of the Federation. Just look at Sections 6 and 287 of the 1999 Constitution
In the context of the above, and in the light of reason and reality, unity of purpose, and nothing more pretentious, is the wholesome solution.
The results of the 2023 Presidential election, no matter how disputed or contested, is sacrosanct and supportive on this.
If “progressives” can work together, including doing everything fair in politics ( due apologies to the President) nothing stops the “democrats” from forging a unity of purpose.
Undeniably, ADC has a right of appeal. But what happens if the courts do not ultimately ” prophesy” in ADC’s favour. This aside. What happens between now and the time the “prophecy” of the courts will be made known and settled by the Apex Court of the land
Therefore, while the court’s prophecy is being awaited, those affected by the courts “prophecies” will be suffering the concomitant consequences of judicial proceddings.
Herein comes the need for unity of purpose.
Statistically, the current opposition front-runners respectively came 2nd, 3rd and 4th during the last Presidential election. Now, the 3rd and 4th runners up in the previous election are on the same platform. What is stopping the fusion of the then 2nd runner up with the then 3rd and 4th runners up.
That time and tide wait for nobody is as aphoristic as it is axiomatic
Centuries ago, the inimitable William Shakespeare in his seminal masterpiece pertinently observed that there is a tide in the affairs of men which if properly managed leads unto forttune, but if omitted eventuates sorrow and misery.
Admittedly, personal ambition is legitimate but it should be subjected to what benefits the generality of Nigerians. This is a historic debt we owe not just to ourselves, but to future generation.
In the various campaigns leading up to the 2027 general elections, sorrow and misery of Nigerians have been the campaign mantra of the opposition. If variously the opposition elements campaign on and complain of the same issues, why would that not afford the pivotal fulcrum for unity of efforts
Therefore, let the recent court judgement on ADC leadership and candidates fruitify the imperatives for unity of purpose.
C J OKOLI-AKIRIKA ESQ
(AWKA BASED ATTORNEY)
08036764900
