Opinion
By POEM
ONE can say without equivocation that the reactions of Nigerians were tested at the colloquium and book launch organized to mark the 25th anniversary of Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, when Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili advised those that felt cheated at the 2023 polls to toe the path of legality and not pulling down the roof of the country.
Did Justice Odili intend to stir the waters of acrimony, thereby knocking heads together in high places? This is doubtful, very doubtful! The Honourable retired Justice had seen or foreseen something, then she said something, as we often instruct. Since the presidential election after-come is already in court, now only a day to verdict hearing, it means that the petitioners; HE Peter Obi of the LP and HE Atiku Abubakar of the PDP had toed the path of legality, even before Justice Odili’s advice dropped.
So, it is likely she did not allude to the presidential election specifically, but the general elections across the federation. A more philosophical introspection could lead one to a hilltop from where Justice Odili probably saw above the heads and decided to get ready the minds of Nigerians for the PEPT judgement on the 6th September, 2023. It is also possible that her admonition was for elections in Nigeria at all times, not just 2023 as mentioned. All the probability clauses are discernible, right?
But some salient questions are already begging for answers, and rightly so. Why is President Tinubu traveling on the 4th of September for a G20 summit in India that actually starts on the 9th? Is it a conscious effort to stay abroad before the September 6th PEPT verdict? Why would he prefer to hear the judgement from outside the country like Nigerians in diaspora? Is it about the fear of the unknown or faith in the known? Whatever, a verdict will drop on September 6th and Nigeria must split into two blocs of respondents. This is typical of judgement days anywhere in the world.
Indeed, it takes boldness and loads of skills in adjudication to speak on such a sensitive matter the way Justice Odili did. Try it, if you come from the roadsides of experience, and you would have tested the depth of a river with both feet at the same time. In the long run, while it is advised that no one gets to pull down roofs after elections or during litigations, it is also advisable that nobody, no matter how highly placed, should provoke situations that would warrant such. Gone are the days when Nigerians could not tell whom they voted for. Our prayers? Let justice be justice and justifiably justifiable!
***POEM stands for Peter,Obi’s Express Media.
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September 6, 2023 @ 5:43 GMT|
Tags: Atiku Abubakar Joe Kyari Gadzama Peter Obi ustice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili
