STILL ON TAMBUWAL...partisanship, principles and national conscience. I have no doubts in my mind that the Police acted shamelessly, illegally and dangerously when it withdrew Speaker Tambuwals security personnel. In fact I expected that by now President Jonathan would have ordered the restoration of those securitymen and save this country another episode of impunity-powered national embarrassment. Why this govt seems to revel in condemnable situations is what Ive never understood. However, Im concerned about our reactions to this whole unfolding saga. It seems our politicians are gradually pushing us to a dangerous psychological corner where were forced to adopt a position which we fully know is wrong and unconscionable but we stand there anyway because our grouse is the existence of a previous offence by a political adversary. In other words, in Nigeria, two wrongs jolly well make a right and who doesnt like it that way can go to hell! No sirs and maams! We have a political system where it is traditional for the leader of parliament to be chosen from the ruling party. That fundamental principle has never been challenged on any altruistic grounds but is now being put to the test, not on point of principle but to protect Tambuwals selfish purposes. The plain fact is that Tambuwal would NOT have been made Speaker if he was an ACN member. Though he had extensive links with the then ACN who made his elevation to the Speakership possible, he would not have been so elevated if he wasnt in the ruling party in the first place. So why would any man of integrity who holds national awards of honour refuse to resign that position when he changes parties? This is all so straightforward but it tells deeply of our damaged no-be-me-the-only-person psyche that we have Nigerians who can support sheer perfidious actions all because they need to point fingers at others. In this situation some of us say, what of Mimiko? And Ive tired of telling them that the constitutional consequences of decamping (e.g S.68, 1999 Constitution) in the legislature is very different from that of the executive! Tambuwal himself as a lawyer knows this clearly but in full defiance of principles of honour, decided to take advantage of previous untreated cases of defection which have become like a rash on our democracy. My people say that when evil is repeatedly condoned in any society it becomes custom. While there is no evil in decamping, theres certainly plenty of evil in using your position to block the natural consequences that follow it. And I think its a pity that instead of us Nigerians looking at the issues critically and objectively were jumping around supporting one personality or the other while ignoring the principles on test. For me, wrong will always remain wrong. A wrong act doesnt become correct by reason of multiplied application or propagation. It will remain wrong irregardless of who the perpetrator is. As each event in our political history unfolds, I only ask God to give me the presence of mind NEVER to allow my sight be tainted or tinted by the personalities and parties or allow my perspectives be soiled by murky emotions. Political correctness be damned!
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:27:00 +0000
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