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Yar Adua's "Rule Of Law" Backfires ON P.D.P. By Nafata Bamaguje
At the last count 5 PDP governors (Kogi, Kebbi, Anambra, Rivers, Adamawa) have been removed or about to be removed by the Judiciary thereby undermining the oppressive stranglehold of the ruling party on our polity. Although Rotimi Amaechi has emerged Rivers governor on the platform of PDP, and needs the ruling party to stave off the AC election tribunal challenge, he is unlikely to remain there if he survives, having received such a gruelling raw deal from the PDP establishment. Thus, one way or another PDP is almost certain to loose the oil rich state.
As the election tribunal hearings continue, more gubernatorial usurpers will be deposed, and PDP will definitely be the main loser, as it was the major beneficiary of the electoral banditry of April 2007. Maurice Iwu, the unrepentant, irredentist INEC chairman who insists he conducted a perfect election must now eat his words.
No doubt President Yar Adua's stated commitment to the rule of law, has contributed in no small measure to embolden the judiciary to deliver these earth-quaking verdicts that threaten the self-acclaimed Africa's largest political party. In the Amaechi vs Omehia's case, the Supreme Court even overreached itself by declaring Amaechi governor instead of ordering a fresh ballot. Perhaps "Young Alhaji" may automatically be declared Senate President if he wins his election petition against Senator David Mark.
Such drastic judgements would have been unthinkable during Obasanjo's 8-year tyranny with his well-known disdain for the rule of law except when it suited his interest or that of his cronies, as was the case in the removal of Governor Ngige. Hence the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Supreme Court was unable to annul the 419 2003 elections even after it acknowledged serious irregularities.
This is why many of us strongly object to the appointment of inJustice Uwais' (apologies to Fela's Unknown soldier ) as chairman of Yar Adua's electoral reform committee. This reactionary anti-democratic inJustice also condemned the recent Supreme Court verdict reinstating Governor Peter Obi in accordance with section 180(2) of our constitution, which clearly and unambiguously states that the 4-year term of an elected governor begins from the day he/she took the oath of office.
In order words, if retired inJustice Uwais had presided over the apex court when the case was adjudicated as he did in the infamous 419 2003elections; the kleptocratic Andy Uba - who was fraudulently imposed on Anambrarians after INEC wrongfully disqualified other serious contenders (Chris Ngige, Peter Obi) - would have been retained.
During OBJ's treasonable misrule, when PDP was his alter-ego, Bayo Ojo his mindless obsequious Attorney General would have concocted some disingenuous nonsensical sophistry to prevent execution of the supreme court verdict.
For PDP the worst is yet to come, as the Presidential election tribunal will most likely also annul the April 21 sham presidential poll, given the well-documented widespread irregularities that characterised that travesty of democracy. In other words, Yar Adua's commitment to the rule of law may very well end up consuming his presidency, which is why he recently lashed out at the Judiciary over the spate of gubernatorial electoral reversals.
Pray, what did Mr President expect after he publicly acknowledged the last elections were flawed and then repeatedly harped on the rule of law ? Rather than criticise the election tribunals that will eventually unseat him, Mallam Yar'Adua should look forward to the subsequent Presidential re-run as an opportunity to permanently silence his critics and legitimise his presidency by winning the post-annulment election. With his laudable performance so far – at least when compared to the Ota farmer's inept maladministration – Umar Musa Yar Adua (UMYA) would easily win any fresh presidential poll on whatever party platform he runs, especially as his former adversaries (Buhari, Atiku) are no longer serious contenders.
Methinks UMYA should use the opportunity of the presidential rerun to dump the Predatory Demonic Plunderers (PDP), as birds of different feathers shouldn't flock together. A relatively clean politician of Yar Adua's stature has no business being the same party with crooked gangsters like Lamidi Adedibu; sycophantic shenanigans like Ojo Maduekwe who supported both Abacha's life term and Obasanjo's third term bids; barefaced frauds like "Dr" Andy Uba and his depraved criminal brother, Chris Uba who abducted a state governor and razed down his state capital; or the irredeemably corrupt David Mark, who is yet to explain the 6 million pounds ( 1.5 billion naira) found in his foreign account a few years ago.
Mallam Yar'Adua could either join any of the other existing political parties (except ANPP) or better still, adopt the Ariel Sharon option and form his own Kadima party. Such a move would amount to a severe death blow to PDP that would eventually result in its demise. Given the damage to our budding democracy caused by this vote-rigging machinery (apologies to Umaru Shinkafi) masquerading as a political party (PDP), it would be good riddance to very bad rubbish. ANPP, the second largest party is also riddled with vile unprincipled atavists and should be similarly liquidated. Such political catharsis is imperative for the rejuvenation of our troubled democracy. Meanwhile, Kudos to our Judiciary for helping restore hope to our beleaguered democracy that was bastardised by the electoral brigandage of OBJ's tyranny.
Nafata Bamaguje Daura, Katsina state.
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