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| Ike Ekweremadu |
DEMOCRACY
ON TRIAL
I presented myself to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court today as
an ordinary citizen of this great nation to plead NOT GUILTY to charges I did
not and could not have committed.
It is
deeply troubling to note that people in high places who swore to uphold the law
have dwindled into purveyors of falsehood and rumours who seek to smear and
tarnish the reputation of law abiding and responsible citizens as well as
cripple the hallowed institutions of democracy. It is all the more
disheartening that people who should know better use the colour of their office
to pursue private vendetta against people they disagree with...
This
grotesque display of vindictiveness, arrogance, and mindless targeting of
innocent citizens should find no sanctuary in our democracy. Using the
machinery of justice to create disorder is a dangerous and invidious scheme
that ultimately will lead Nigeria down the road to perdition. It is Senator
Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu today, who knows whose turn it will be
next?
I am a
law-abiding citizen and believe in the rule of law and all the rights and privileges
it advertises. But, even at that, it is only in my place not to commit crime,
but way out of my reach not to be accused of one, especially when instruments
of power become apparatuses for oppression of the innocent and voices of
opposition.
Indeed,
I, in no way or fashion, claim to be above the law, just that I believe that
the law should not be used as an instrument to bludgeon innocent citizens into
submitting to the untamed wishes and caprices of witch-hunters.
However,
I put my trust in God, the court, and the overwhelming solidarity of the good
people of Nigeria. When the dust settles, Nigerians will see clearly that this
charge is nothing but meretricious thrash. Time, occasions, and provocations
like this will teach their own lessons. I hope that one chief lesson will be
that democracy differs markedly from military rule and that public officer
should never subvert the foundations of democracy by prioritizing the rule of
man over the rule of law.
Let us
make no mistake about this: it is not Senator Ike Ekweremadu or Senator Bukola
Saraki or the other accused persons that are on trial; rather the hallowed
democratic principles of separation of powers, rule of law, the legislature,
and indeed democracy itself are on a ridiculous trial.
Mere
anarchy is unleashed upon the land, but our courage must not fall apart. No
condition is permanent and nothing lasts forever.
For me,
I find great comfort in the immortal words of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who said
that history will vindicate the just and the wicked will not go unpunished.
SENATOR
IKE EKWEREMADU, PhD, CFR
Deputy
President of the Senate,
Federal
Republic of Nigeria
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