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.
