The Ekiti Crisis by Dr. Jones Edobor
It is sad to observe that amongst
our major problems, is the phenomenon that no matter what formal
education we are given, how many universities we attend and
whatever academic titles we are accorded, we basically remain
the same, a people who allow our emotions to take control over
the wisdom of our judgment and actions. This may be among the
reasons why people who have enjoyed good formal education always
fail in Nigeria. These people often display a clear ignorance of
any practical knowledge of how a country functions. They display
a lack of understanding over the functions of laws and the
constitution of a country. Thus they continue to push the moral
boundaries whenever it pleases them. To celebrate the current
outcome of events in Ekiti is not to fully understand what is
happening. No doubt, we are currently going through some of
those dark days in the history of Nigeria and we have all
reasons to be sombre and start reflecting. Only in banana
republics can the interpretation of the chief Justice of the
Federation be ignored in such an unashamed way, and a state
within the federation is more or less insisting in their own
impeachment process, ignoring all the voices of reasoning
calling their attention to the unconstitutionality of their
actions. One wonders whether the jubilants now consider Ektiti
state a country of their own and they are now entitled to accept
part of the constitution they like and disregard the other parts
they dislike that may be in their way to achieving some
immediate agendas. These kind of people who lack the foresight
to understand the totality of what is currently at stake are no
doubt not only doing Ekiti no service but pushing Nigeria
towards a bleak future. Fayose may well deserve impeachment, but
the applied process and tactic must give any patriotic Nigerian
person grave cause for concern. What the enemies of Fayose are
celebrating is the trampling over and utter disregard for our
constitution and I do not understand why this should be
something any mature person should be happy over. What they
appear to be overlooking is that today it may be Fayose’s
constitutional rights they have no respect for, but if this
attitude is allowed to become commonplace nobody’s right is
guaranteed. The problem with Nigeria is that those people
society would normally expect to courageously show the road,
control their personal emotions in times of crisis and stand for
what is right are often those who through their actions actually
compromise themselves, extinguish the light and lead others on
the road of short-sightedness. Today, many of us Nigerians may
look the other way or even applaud the open illegality and
shameless affront to our constitution but when lawlessness
becomes an acceptable way of interaction, we should not be
surprised when our rights are snatched away by some gangsters or
criminals, and there is no one there to protect our rights. If
we are ready to apply and justify lawlessness because it leads
to achieving our immediate objectives, we should not complain
when others have no respect for the law or our constitutional
rights when dealing with us.
Ekiti is part of Nigeria and whatever happens there does affect
the rest of Nigeria, hence we are all stakeholders. These
legislators have clearly acted outside their legislative powers
and it is a real shame that there is no authority in Nigeria to
stop them. Reports coming out of Nigeria is suggesting that the
Anambra state legislatures are now planning to impeach their
Governor who was only sworn in a couple of months ago. As
lawlessness is taking over, it now seems the speakers of the
House of Assembly of States have found ways to assume the office
of Governorship of their respective states without going to the
polls or running for that office. This is the time for us to
rise against this increasing shameless move by state legislators to remove their governors without following the due
process. These people are not working in the interest of their
people but rather in their own personal interests. It is to be
hoped that the Nigerian government through its Attorney General
shall now take a decisive step to stop these rascals. The
impeachment of a governor, no matter the allegations, is a
serious national matter that must be handled accordingly. If
things continue the way they are going, I am just wondering what
last resort we have to kick out all these corrupt, undisciplined, undemocratic and lawless
elements out of office to give us a fresh start.
Today, I raise my voice to declare my sadness and concern over
events in Ekiti, because injustice done to one is injustice done
to all. I hope the federal government will this time find the
courage to resolutely say enough is enough and thus not only
declare the new governor unconstitutional and his inauguration
void but do everything within its power to get him out of
office. Ekiti is part of Nigeria and the legislators there must
be made to respect the Nigerian constitution. May God help us
all grow into a mature people.
