Since the first presidential media chat by president Mohammadu Buhari, there had been plethora of comments and reactions.The most debated aspect of the chat has been the reaction of Mr President to continued stay in detention of Kanu and Dasuki after being granted bail by the court . To critics it is a travesty of democracy and inimical to democratic growth. A good example of such observation is the Nation’s editorial of 7 January 2016 on the presidential media chat which among others advised Mr President to be more circumspect and diplomatic in future. The paper cited Mr President’s reaction to question on court order on Dasuki and kalu and budget proposal for cars by the National Assembly as as its areas of great concern.
This writer is ever for democracy. Consequently any concern for respect for human right, court orders and cordial inter sectoral relationship will always be appreciated by him. However he watched the chat and did not see harm in the president’s response. So let us all be circumspect about what we support with democratic principles and the survival of our country in the face of unending impunity lest we throw the baby out with the bath water.
There is nothing wrong with preaching democratic ideals but it must be balanced with operational reality. It seems to me a trivialization of serious issues when we make cheap appeal to tenets of democracy to advance such cause as corruption, subversive activities etc. To the best of my knowledge, the citizens concerned were not arbitrarily arrested. There is the challenge of ensuring that they do not jump bail after the court order.
The fear is that if we go about the old way paying lip service to issues of impunity and corruption, democracy itself will be imperiled and socio – economic development of the of the country would continue to be severely stalled. These evils are hurtful to society at large and democracy in particular and in dealing we must bear Justice for all, harmony and progress of society in mind. We cannot pretend not to know today that the Nigerian space has been badly fouled and polluted for long now.
This appears to be the time of redress. Any one suspected to have contributed to breaking the democratic norms and public trust or threaten the stability of society must not be invited to democratic tea party or decorated with democratic garlands until such a person is fully cleared. In other words, in the present circumstances of a nation sinking in the ocean of corruption, profligacy, poor management of resources and sectarian/ ethnic instigated and driven crisis, national interest of survival should be above all other considerations.
Thus the editorial and other reactions which were obviously informed by democratic values and which sought to deepen democratic culture are good but we have to be careful not to rob ‘Peter to pay Paul’ or destroy or arrest the growth and development of our society. For a number of reasons, these claims to Democracy do not go down well with me because they seem to me as unserious approach to the task at hand.
I am not in support of any form of dictatorship but there comes a time when a people decide to do things right. The result of the 2015 presidential election is indicative of a collective resolve to get things right by confronting our problems head on. In the present circumstance of our country the president reaction during the chat was appropriate while appeal to democratic norms is a source of distraction and encouragement of evil way. In any case democracy does not permit lawlessness.
There is every need for caution. Democracy is a sweet lovely word with strong appeal and deep emotions. In today’s world almost everyone likes to be called a democrat or identified with democracy. Besides, the right to freedom of some citizens and powers of some institutions are involved. One can easily be misconstrued. However at the risk of being called ugly names I wish to ask aloud: which is more important – individual/corporate interest or national interest? Which one should give way? For me the collective national is more important and superior to the individual interest. The right of one person must stop at the beginning of another man’s own and society must find the best practical way to things in check.
Against this consideration three factors are of importance in appreciating Mr President’s reactions to the relevant questions raised by the journalists viz: a country with a long history of impunity and wasteful spending, the exigency of failing economy, poverty, unemployment and mass suffering and the imperative of nation building and save guarding its cherished values and institutions. Should we allow the oozing atmosphere to continue without purification, the failing economy to slide on without a wedge or check and the warped values to subsist without cleansing or reforms?
For the avoidance of doubt Democracy is not about kleptocracy, mob rule or disrespect for law and order and accountability or the cornering of the good things of life by a few elites as has been the vogue for some time now in Nigeria. It is essentially about good governance, fair play and justice for all. As hinted earlier, Democracy itself is in great danger if not protected from such evils as corruption, anarchy, subversive activities etc.
We know there is separation of power in the constitution. We know too that diplomacy, circumspection etc are good attributes of a good leader but as the saying goes desperate times call for desperate measures. These are desperate, tortuous and sad times in Nigeria. Our worry is about the seeming insensitivity and indifference of some members of the ruling elites to the plights of the rest of Nigerians. Their actions tend to put democracy in chains.
In a country severely weighed down by extreme poverty, underdevelopment, huge infrastructural deficit, unpardonable rural neglect, gaping inequality a rapidly falling revenue and embarrassing large scale unemployment ,it is obscene, insensitive and quite disproportionate for a body of only about 400 people to earmark as much as N8.5 billion for the purchase of choice cars. And it is unfair for a few elites to to share over $2 million among themselves in the name of war. It is condemnable and unacceptable . Let those concerned know it as it is – even if it means being blunt: there is poverty, hardship and falling revenue in the land that does not allow the profligacy of the past. No need for diplomacy.
There are many questions begging for honest answer. For instance can we truly have democracy in a heavily corrupt country or in a perpetual state of anarchy? Would democracy not be on trial if left only for the highest bidder either in terms of cash or brawl? Can the country make much progress in a state of mindless corruption and unbridled wastage? Can democracy flourish when there is no culture of accountability, citizenry participation and justice for all ? Can there be respect for the rule of law if there are rooms to jump bails when anyone is charged with serious offense? Is accountability not an essential aspect of democracy? In particular is it morally right for money meant for war to be diverted to other personal purposes even when the war has not ended and people are dying and suffering? Will it not be dangerous for any one with such vast resources of wealth and extensive reach or tendency for anarchy to be walking free in the streets? Can we do democracy in a perpetual state of anarchy?
I have respect for the courts but the judiciary is not infallible . Courts all over the world have been known to make mistakes: some innocent people have been jailed or even ordered killed by some court while some criminals had been set free. We sadly recall here the ignoble role of some judges in laying the foundation for the annulment of the June 12 1993 presidential election. This raises more questions: Can there be good or bad judgement? What is justice and how should it be defined? Which is superior – personal interest or national interest?
While Society is at peril when we fail to provide correct answers to such questions, someone must decide what is national interest and whether it is under threat and take necessary step to safeguard it. Unwittingly we harm democracy by encouraging some habits in the name of unqualified human right or freedom that are inimical to the common good of society.There is far more to Democracy than human rights and the authority has the responsibility to ensure the safety of the individual, the well being of the society at large and the protection of collective interest. The individual rights cannot be superior to the collective interest of national survival.
I think some of these were what iinformed the president’s response to the journalist questions during the media chat. I watched the show and I am convinced that it was a good outing for Mr president who used the occasion to demonstrate his understanding of the Nigerian condition and his abhorrence for corruption, profligacy and unpatriotic acts. For sure he wanted the listeners to appreciate the seriousness of the alleged offenses and the immorality of some the actions under reference.
Appropriately his mood changed the moment the bail issue came up. Obviously he was wondering whether the journalists were strangers in Jerusalem? Are there grounds for the president to suspect frivolity and the possibility of someone jumping bail? Yes. First: what do you make out of an individual with multiple passports causing much trouble in your country or in your compound? What do you call him if he has more names than he has presented to you- a saint, or crook? How do you deal with such a person – just let him go without close mark to serve as bad examples to others?
For too long,Nigeria had contended with a history of impunity and profligacy. Lawbreakers are not often punished. Courts have been known to issue frivolous injunctions. We have seen the use of legal technicality to frustrate cases in courts . We have seen a man who admitted that he illegally got N20 billion from government funds but was sent to a jail term of only two years or payment of N750,000 as option. We know of a man who was cleared of all wrong doings in Nigeria, only to be arrested abroad, tried and convicted and imprisoned there.
For once let’s be serious and not give room for frivolity and ridicule of the law in the name of democracy. In all I think Mr President wanted to use that opportunity of the media chat to show his displeasure and disapproval and to send a strong and dispassionate message across to all concerned about his readiness to check impunity and I believe many of us got it very clear. This is in the interest of deepening the culture of democracy, the growth ,development and the survival of the country.
‘ There is no arts to read the minds construction in the face ‘ …writes Shakespeare . But we know that some people do jump bails. For me, someone who could divert elsewhere money meant for war while many are dying or suffering in displaced homes or camps could jump bail. Also a man who had two passports but refused to use either to enter the country, brought his broadcast equipment illegally into the country cannot be trusted to be a gentleman of Honors and respecter of rule of law. He could jump bail.
As one interested in youth development and empowerment I had much sympathy for the young man until I knew much better from a letter written by one of associate – a girl living abroad: He does not live in Nigeria but creates problems for residents. He is not on ground and his cause is not based on concrete facts. As the girl friend asked some time ago how many of the youths demonstrating on his behalf know that he carries two passports at the same time? How many of them know that he did not use any of the passports to enter the country. No kid gloves please. Such people are untrustworthy, slippery and dangerous.
Still this is not say that we should not respect rule of law, human rights etc but that the common good which national interest or survival represents should prevail. We run the risk of taking certain things for granted.Unprotected democracy is in danger.I see a misuse or misapplication of concepts such as human rights here. It seems to me as an unwise attempt to use civilized means to tackle monstrous acts of barbarism. A man willfully fires gun in crowd or a group wages war on parts of a country or obstructs a military procession and is hit back to check excesses and people would get up to start preaching human rights without talking about the acts of injustice and obstruction and unprovoked destruction that warranted sharp reaction in self defense.
Nation building is not an easy task.The president’s strong and uncompromising stance on corruption,profligacy and threats to national security is commendable . He comes across as a sincere man with strong patriotic credentials. Brother don’t foul the law or break public trust if you do not want aspersions to be cast on you or to be locked up. Show moral sense in all you do. Let us be serious with the task of nation- building. Tough decisions could often be made. After the rains comes sunshine. Let everyone be aware that there is life after office and someone may decide to examine the books. Obasanjo tried to fight corruption he was called names mostly as hunter of political enemies. Buhari has resurrected the fight and the same habit of name calling has resumed. Things cannot go on this way. Someone has to bell the cat.
There comes a time when a people decide to confront their problems head-on and they need a leader who could make the difficult decision, show the way, defend position and show the world that they mean business . The war against corruption is tough requiring the tough attitude and impatient mood displayed by Mr President during the interview . There could be room for plea- bargaining.Government should be allowed to exercise some discretion here . While those detained should be well protected and brought to court for necessary action it should be recognized that some of them are untrustworthy, slippery and dangerous and could in fact jump bail.
By Dr John Abhuere FNIM, Centre for Child Care and Youth Development Abuja.
