TestNet NAJA @DOJOHNP - Twitter Profile

DOJOHNP retweeted

about 2 hours ago

Yesterday, I was in Bauchi to honour, for the fifth time, the invitation of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to its dialogue themed: “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?” I thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his selfless sacrifice and unwavering commitment to building a better Nigeria and a better Africa. I also commend the Chairman, President Olusegun Obasanjo, for his enduring contributions to peace, unity and justice across Africa. My appreciation also goes to the host, the Governor of Bauchi State, for his good work and for providing the platform for this important conversation. My modest contribution at the event was to highlight my concern that African democracy, using Nigeria as a case study, has deteriorated to such an extent that we are approaching a point where we may no longer be able to meaningfully say that democracy exists. I recalled how I approached the courts when I believed my mandate had been stolen in Anambra. At that time, the judiciary demonstrated the independence expected of an arm of government. It upheld the law and restored the will of the people, without any relationship whatsoever between me and the judges who handled the matter. That was democracy at work. Today, however, those who break the law are often the first to tell you to “go to court.” Our electoral management body, staffed by highly educated Nigerians, including many professors, is increasingly accused of enabling electoral malpractice and the emergence of people who are not qualified or do not possess the mandate of the people. Our lawmakers have removed forgery as an electoral offence, while some senior advocates appear to defend or normalise actions that should ordinarily attract condemnation. Our religious leaders sometimes pray for blessings upon political actors accused of misappropriating the commonwealth. And, most troubling of all, we now hear allegations of judges chanting, “On your mandate we shall stand.” When the very institutions established to protect democracy begin to accommodate its destruction, we must stop pretending that everything is normal. I earnestly call for sober reflection and honest thinking. Socrates said that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” A nation, too, must examine itself if it intends to survive. We must halt this drift towards institutional decay and redirect our attention towards building a country that we and the generations that come after us, can be proud of. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO