Three recent events, among many others, signpost the onset of a rabid strain of dictatorship right under the nose of Nigeria’s democratic constitution. It is a frightening state of affairs for which every Nigerian, individually and collectively, must hold themselves responsible. By permitting this anomie, we all have sinned and fallen short of glory.
First, Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, openly accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment. She went on TV to cite two instances in which Nigeria’s third citizen crossed the line of decency in the course of their official interactions. She alleged that her refusal to play ball led to her victimization in Senate appointments and proceedings, including the stepping down of her motions tabled in the interest of her constituency and overall public good. She said she had evidence she would release at the appropriate time.
Going by the weight of her allegations, Nigerians clearly had Akpabio-gate on their hands. But instead of allowing an independent investigation of her claims, the green chamber went into a witch hunt. It morphed into a mob baying for Natasha’s blood.
Some “distinguished senators” claimed they were “eye witnesses” to some of the private conversations that apparently led to the allegations. They were prepared to testify to the innocence of their leader. The Senate President’s wife issued a public vote of confidence on her husband’s fidelity. Others called to question the integrity, emotional quotient and marital records of the accuser.
They tried to paint the picture of a serial blackmailer on the prowl. It did not matter that she was not the first high profile accuser of Akpabio; and only heaven knows how many others had no voice to call their alleged predator out.
Natasha was promptly suspended from the Senate for 6 months without benefits. To nail her coffin, Natasha’s enemies have contrived constitutional recall proceedings from her constituency. As we say in Nigeria, “the hunter has become the hunted.” Akpabio’s camp has started a fire in his opponent’s hut so that she is too distracted to fight. Although no elected Nigerian politician has been successfully recalled since 1999, it’ll be no surprise if Natasha’s recall is successfully expedited under Akpabio. She could then be thrown out of the Senate and told to “Go to court.” The devil now lives in Nigeria.
Team Akpabio is clearly hoping that, as usual, other events will crop up which will sideline Akpabio-gate and ultimately sweep it under the cabinet. Just as a similar allegation by a female Managing Director of NNDC was silenced a few years ago. Then, Akpabio was a Minister. Today he is Citizen Number 3. Surely, infamy pays around here.
In Nigeria, it is “One week, one trouble.” Akpabio-gate is fast receding into oblivion in the face of fresh, equally juicy scandals and controversies. No one is asking “Why always Akpabio” anymore.
Next, a random youth corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, took to social media to lament the astronomical cost of living in the country. She said it was negatively impacting her experience as an adult living outside the canopy of parental care for the first time. She called the Nigerian president “terrible,” a label she justified with facts and figures from her daily life.
Ushie Rita Uguamaye
Pronto, a presidential spokesman pronounced a fatuah. He said Ms Ushie deserves “capital punishment” for “insulting” the president. Apparently under directive or fearing for their jobs, top NYSC officials in Lagos State also called Ms Ushie by phone. They ordered her to take down her post or…They summoned her to the Secretariat for an inquest. Neither the presidential spokesman nor the NYSC officials could empirically dispute Ms Ushie’s submissions.
The poor girl, easily given to tears in the first place, was reduced to a bag of nerves. She feared for her life and posted an SMS (save my soul) saying that if anything happened to her, the world should at least know it wasn’t an accident. Her lamentation inspired a former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to mobilize a team of lawyers to accompany her to her inquest. Sowore’s intervention was streamed live on social media, and upon arrival at the venue of the inquest, the officials who summoned Ms Ushie had melted away.
Nigerians were still pondering the fate of the fatherless corper when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended the elected Governor, his deputy and the State House of Assembly, and appointed a Sole Administrator. The offense? Mr. President alleged that recent explosions of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta were not unconnected with the suspended Governor’s recent remarks in the face of rising tensions between Abuja and Port Harcourt. The president conveniently forgot an earlier statement by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to the effect that the Rivers Governor could be impeached “and nothing will happen.”
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara
Everyone knows that President Tinubu is neither a neutral party nor an unbiased umpire in the game playing out in the heart of the Niger Delta. He is a principal actor; a co-accused and co-defendant. Therefore, in declaring a state of emergency over Rivers State on March 18, Tinubu was simply working on an old takeover script. Kano and Anambra are next on the list, for those who may wish to know.
Today, Tinubu is not just the judge in a matter in which he is listed as a defendant. He is also the prosecutor, jury and jailer. It was against people like him that the legal principle, nemo judex in causa sua (no one may be a judge in his own cause) was long ago enunciated. But in Tinubu’s Nigeria, who cares?
And so, with the Captain of the Nigerian state and his most senior officers soaked in a drunken orgy of mischief, and the rest of his crew and passengers held captive by their own guilt and acquiescence, there is no one to save Africa’s sinking Titanic.
It is a stinging irony that this is happening under the watch of a man who once claimed to have “fought” the military to “secure democracy.” Now we know better. With democrats like Tinubu, military dictatorships suddenly look attractive again.
Welcome to the Banana Republic of Nigeria. Here, people in power can do no wrong. You have a right to remain silent as anything you say may be used against you, in a court of dubious laws. Enjoy your stay.
