On 26th October, 2023, the Supreme Court, the highest Court in the land finally affirmed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election. This particular election, interestingly, may have gone down in history as the most fiercely challenged electoral victory in Nigeria. The declaration of the Apex Court however, came eight months after a protracted legal battle between the three contending political parties; All Progressives Congress, People’s Democratic Party and Labour Party. As it stands today, this development has finally brought to a close anything concerning contesting the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in the law court, as far as Nigeria is concerned.
Head or tail, Nigeria has won! With the starked economy, hopes were high, coupled with promises made by politicians that work will begin in earnest, but confessions and happenings around us show that Nigerian politicians are not ready to salvage the society from what it has become. People still grandstand, and those heavily indicted for corrupt practices, walk tall on the street and are even celebrated by the have not who bear the brunt of today’s bad economy. For example, the open confession of Justice Musa Dattijo that there are so many anomalies in the judicial system in Nigeria is heart wrenching. He even went further to indict the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola whom he said does everything without consultation.
This he said is the reason the South East and the North Central are not represented at the Apex Court, which negates the principle of quota system as enshrined in the constitution for such high office. This view, of course, is known by so many, just that the Nigerian people before now had not pinned down where the smoke was coming from. Now the people’s suspicion is confirmed by a retired judge from the highest court in the land. The implication therefore, is that, the strong grip of corruption on the society is the reason there is motion without movement in the country with all the razzmatazz of the anti-graft agencies planted everywhere. His confession however reinforced the statement credited to one time senator who told Nigerians that he overtly influenced his wife who was also a retired judge in her decisions to favour friends and political associates when it mattered most. The development in Rivers State again is not anything to cheer about.
As usual, the battle line is drawn between the political godfather and godson, even though they would in the days to come, deny this. Don’t forget, the victims remain the people who suffer, since the struggle is all about who controls the state politically and economically, and again, how to share the booty, and not really about how to improve the welfare and living standards of the people. Not done yet, the former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi surprisingly, unlike any typical politician bemoaned the excesses of the political class who are still enmeshed in corrupt practices despite the sufferings of the masses. Corruption across government institutions; ministries, departments and agencies, equally is unspeakable and may continue to grow, regrettably, because it’s like everyone for himself as it stands.
This is not unconnected with the revelations at this time, and again coupled with the inability of each arms of government to play its constitutionally distinctive role. The Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary have, unfortunately, fused into one big corrupt body without any of the organs checking the other which is against the tenets of separation of power in a democracy. It is one thing to win election and another to govern according to what is enshrined in the constitution. Just few days ago, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), approved #2.1 trillion supplementary budget for 2023 that is almost drawing to a close. The people are usually alarmed each time such humongous amount of money is mentioned, compared to the kind of development people can see and feel on ground. The people’s sufferings should be alleviated and not the other way round. In fact, the politicians should do a restitution to the Nigerian masses by way of re-ordering their steps, and for once, focus on people oriented programmes in addressing the current economic down turn.
That said, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), by the declaration of the Supreme Court now have their case rested. The coast therefore is clear for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to bring to fruition the campaign promises to assuage the pains the citizens are currently experiencing. We therefore call on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to liberate Nigeria from the present political and economic quagmire, and ensure that no Nigerian is victimised under his administration. More time should be devoted to solving the problems of the people who for no reason have suffered unjust rule, owing to the ambitions of a few who do not wish the country well. That is the only way to go in the present circumstances. We want to see reforms that would put Nigeria on the path of recovery and growth. That is the way to go, and not the chasing shadows which was the case in the past.
