By Olabode George
“Wike, who has become the public face of this discord, should reflect carefully on the consequences of actions that many Nigerians perceive as contributing to division within the opposition and unnecessary tension within the democratic landscape”
“As one who witnessed the turbulent years that preceded Nigeria’s darkest national crisis, I must sound a note of caution. Political instability does not begin with conflict. It begins when justice is denied, when lawful authority is disregarded, and when constitutional institutions fail to act courageously and impartially. We must never travel that road again. That is why I call upon INEC to act strictly in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court and the requirements of the Constitution. The rule of law must prevail.
The authority of the Supreme Court must be respected.
The integrity of our democratic process must be protected.”
Fellow Nigerians,
I write today with a profound sense of duty and concern for the future of our democracy. This is a solemn warning to all those whose actions or inactions may be undermining the constitutional order upon which our nation rests.
The Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has spoken on the affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Its judgment affirmed the lawful structure and democratic operations of the party and upheld the suspension of those who acted contrary to the party’s constitutional processes.
That judgment is not a suggestion. It is not open to selective interpretation. It is not subject to administrative convenience.
It is the final and binding pronouncement of the highest court in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Under our Constitution, there is no authority above the Supreme Court. Once the Supreme Court has pronounced itself on any matter, every institution, every public officer and every agency of government is under a constitutional obligation to comply.
That is the foundation of democracy. That is the essence of the rule of law. That is the bedrock of civilized governance.
It is therefore deeply troubling that weeks after this judgment was delivered and duly communicated, there appears to be an unwillingness or reluctance to give full effect to its clear provisions.
This raises fundamental questions.
Why should a judgment of the Supreme Court remain unattended to weeks after it has been delivered?
Why should duly transmitted communications appear to receive no response?
Why should lawful directives flowing from the highest court in the land be treated with indifference?
The Nigerian people deserve answers.
The Chairman of INEC is a distinguished Professor of Law. A senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN). More than most Nigerians, he understands the meaning, implications and supremacy of a judgment of the Supreme Court. No Professor of Law should require persuasion to obey the law. No democratic institution should require pressure before complying with the decision of the nation’s highest court.
This is not merely about the PDP.
This is about the integrity of our democratic institutions. This is about whether the rule of law will prevail over political expediency. This is about whether constitutional order will triumph over manipulation.
The real danger before us is not partisan disagreement. The real danger is the gradual erosion of public confidence in our institutions. When court judgments are ignored, delayed or subjected to political calculations, democracy itself is weakened.
There is another matter that cannot be ignored.
The Supreme Court has affirmed the authority of the PDP to regulate its internal affairs in accordance with its constitution and democratic processes. Those who were subjected to disciplinary measures by the party have sought every available avenue to challenge those decisions.
The law has spoken.
Yet, despite this, there appears to be a continuing effort by certain individuals outside the recognised leadership structure of the party to interfere with its affairs, frustrate its lawful processes and create confusion within the political system.
A democracy cannot function properly when political actors seek to operate simultaneously as insiders and destabilisers. Political parties are built on discipline, loyalty, internal democracy and respect for collective decisions. No individual, regardless of status or influence, should place personal ambition above the interests of the party or the stability of the nation.
No one can profess loyalty to one political party while advancing the interests of another. No one can claim allegiance to one platform while actively working against its constitution, leadership and democratic processes.
Political integrity demands clarity of purpose and loyalty of commitment.
Political disagreement is legitimate.
Political competition is legitimate.
BUT POLITICAL DOUBLE DEALING IS NOT!!!
Chief Nyesom Wike, who has become the public face of this discord, should reflect carefully on the consequences of actions that many Nigerians perceive as contributing to division within the opposition and unnecessary tension within the democratic landscape.
No democracy can flourish when individuals seek to exercise influence without responsibility, authority without accountability, or power without regard for established constitutional processes.
What is at stake today is far greater than the fortunes of any individual politician. What is at stake is the integrity of our democratic process and the confidence of Nigerians in the institutions that sustain it.
Those who believe they can weaken constitutional order for temporary political advantage should remember that history is often unforgiving. The damage inflicted on institutions today may become the crisis of tomorrow.
Nigeria deserves stability.
Nigeria deserves justice.
Nigeria deserves leaders who strengthen institutions rather than weaken them.
Those who seek to manipulate lawful processes for political advantage must understand the gravity of what they are doing.
Nations are rarely destroyed suddenly. They are weakened gradually when institutions abandon fairness, when lawful processes are frustrated, and when citizens begin to lose faith in the impartiality of the system.
As one who witnessed the turbulent years that preceded Nigeria’s darkest national crisis, I must sound a note of caution. Political instability does not begin with conflict. It begins when justice is denied, when lawful authority is disregarded, and when constitutional institutions fail to act courageously and impartially.
We must never travel that road again. That is why I call upon INEC to act strictly in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court and the requirements of the Constitution.
The rule of law must prevail.
The authority of the Supreme Court must be respected.
The integrity of our democratic process must be protected.
I also call upon former Heads of State, traditional rulers, religious leaders, senior jurists and patriots across all political divides to speak out in defence of justice, due process and constitutional governance. Silence at critical moments in a nation’s history can be costly.
This is one of those moments. Enough is enough.
The Supreme Court has spoken. INEC must comply.
The nation is watching. History is watching.
And posterity will record where each of us stood at this defining moment in the life of our Republic.
May wisdom guide our leaders.
May justice prevail.
And may God continue to bless and protect the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Chief Olabode George, a retired Navy Commodore, is the Atona O’odua of Yorubaland
