OLUBUNMI DARAMOLA WROTE THIS ABOUT FAYOSE (-Acquired Integrity Deficiency Syndrome) I must confess I was stunned by the outcome of the June 21, 2014 Ekiti State Gubernatorial Elections, just like million others. It was a view equally expressed by the ‘winner’ of the election. The manner of victory was so stimulating even primetime National Television showed a session of Aso Rock occupants and friends on a binge to ‘wash’ it. That Peter Ayodele Fayose is a man of the ‘people’ is not contestable. That it was also the wish and aspiration of the preponderance of Ekitis as ‘expressed’ in the Guber elections, to have him, with due respect, whether as a mad man, gangster, social reject or benefactor, occupy the Oke Bareke newly built Governor’s lodge come October 16, 2014, to me, is not in doubt . That this ‘mandate’ is not absolute is also crystal clear and that whosoever feels aggrieved by the process that threw him up has got his/her right/s to challenge it, doubtless, within the law. A society is governed by a set of rules – the body or system of which are recognized by the nation and are enforceable by an established process. It is called the Rule of Law. Under the rule of law, there are inalienable rights of individuals, groups and organizations enshrined and guaranteed that cannot be transferred or taken away. Democracy, the system of government we have embraced thrives on the rule of law. The opposite is the rule of the jungle! When I exercised restraint not to comment on the outcome of the election in the period post elections, it borne out of the irrational, illogical but warped sentimental reasoning and arguments that spew forth from people (pre and post elections) you expected should have more of discerning disposition because of their levels of education and ‘exposure’. It (my experience) told me of the depth we have sunk as a people in terms of moral rectitude and how what is today known as stomach infrastructure (wetin we go chop) could warp the sense of judgment of a once upon a time, proud and very articulate people. Enter again the events of Monday and Thursday last week! As a people, we cannot continue to progress in error. We need to do some introspection and realise the fact that we cannot be an island unto ourselves. The world is a global village now and whatever we do well or otherwise gets the attention of the world. In a Democracy, disputes are generated between individuals, groups and institutions and are resolved by an unbiased arbiter established by the constitution and known as the courts. In Nigeria, we have three levels of the courts. What this means is that, if you don’t get justice at the lower court, you can proceed on appeal to the Appeal and Supreme Courts. So when a group known as the E-11 went to the courts loooong BEFORE the June 21 elections (some people erroneously believe the E-11 just went to court post Fayose victory) to challenge the eligibility of Ayo Fayose, it was within the ambit of their INALIENABLE RIGHTS as guaranteed by the constitution. When cases are listed for hearing, plaintiff and defendants are expected to maintain a level of decorum and civilized conduct within and without the courts and before the trial judge. NOBODY is above the law (except NICO). The case is decided on its merit by the trial judge. Of course, the aggrieved can proceed on appeal without resorting to visit mayhem on the opposing party and by extension the society. What happened in Ado-Ekiti on Monday and Thursday leaves a sour taste in the mouth and further dealt incalculable damage, in the eyes of the world, on the pride of the Omoluabi Ekiti. The irascible behavior of Mr. Fayose especially on Thursday at the court premises is undignifying of a person expected to take the reins of office as governor in a forthnight or so. It was a despicable act of premeditated violence against the High Court with the intent of obstructing the course of justice! It should be noted that the word ‘Governor-elect ’ is mere courtesy which is not recognized by the constitution. It does not confer upon anyone a SUPERMAN status neither does it grant anyone immunity. In sane climes where things are not done with impunity and raw power displayed with discretion, Mr. Fayose should be cooling his heels now in the slammer for contempt and abuse of court processes. Kayode Fayemi went through a process to reclaim his mandate in 2010. He never took laws in his hand to visit mayhem on the land even when he was so sure of his electoral victory. And when judgment didn’t go his way at the lower court, he still chose the path of democrats to pursue his case. He went on appeal and eventually won his mandate back. The wheel of justice may grind slowly but justice will ultimately carry the day. Mr. Fayose could have treaded this conventional path of civility and save Ekiti the trauma of willful damage to property and eventual death of a notable citizen. Nigeria’s first Ebola patient, Patrick Sawyer, came from Liberia on July 20. Since then all the country’s resources were mobilised to reduce the possibility of an epidemic. The threat posed by Ebola was eventually contained and the nation declared Ebola free, to the glory of God. Today, a much more virulent and cancerous disease have been imported by Ayo Fayose into the country via Ekiti State and is currently plaguing the state. It is hoped efforts will also not be spared in containing the epidemic nature of this disease before it goes national. It is known as AIDS (Acquired Integrity Deficiency Syndrome)
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 04:06:53 +0000
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