The sad and rather shameful situation in Abia brings to focus what we already know in Nigeria. That most of our politicians, if not all, lack principle and self respect. That a civilian will evade tax, forge tax documents and then appeal his case in court even when the evidence against him is concrete, is something most shameful and hideous in nature. Honestly I wonder if, in Nigeria, there ever was a time when someone in such office ever stepped down and apologised in order to retain some self respect and honour. Even thieves seem to have more honour than the present Governor of the state Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.
Before anyone thinks or says that my disappointment is only directed towards him, I’d advice they all hold on and read the rest of this before jumping into such premature conclusions. The individual who the high court ruling profited the most Samson Ogah is not to be spared. After the high court ruled in favour of him, it ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to Samson Ogah, Dr Ikpeazu to vacate the government house and the Attorney General of the state to swear him in. This case was taken to the court of appeal by the lawyer representing the Governor. Now this action, as much as I feel was one that showed the Governor’s lack of dignity, was his right as a citizen. I stand to be corrected, but while a case is being appealed, isn’t the implementation of the High Court’s orders to be put on hold till the Appeal court decides whether to uphold or over rule the judgement? So it is rather shocking that a man of Mr Ogah’s status and knowledge will then travel to receive his certificate of return. A man who is principled would have waited till the Appeal court had ruled in his favour or against him before taking any action. This does call into question and further more puzzles me as to what sort of man might be the next governor of Abia state.
The politicians are not just part of the problem, the INEC officials are for taking part in this shameful act. Does anyone reading this want to tell me that our Electoral Commission do not have a legal office or don’t have legal advisers? Or do any of them want to lie and claim that they aren’t aware of legal procedures. I remember seeing the shame and the guilt in the face of the officer who handed the certificate to Mr Ogah. What will such a person teach his wards, who incidentally are the ‘future’ of this country.
The people I’m more disgusted about is the society. The poverty ridden minds that dominate the society. I have always said and will continue to say that “ a leader is a reflection of the society of where he or she is from”. No matter how upright one might try to be he or she will, in most cases, end up joining the band wagon in with their society rides on. If the people involved in this rather disgraceful saga came from a better and well principled society, we won’t be having this. First of of all Dr Ikpeazu, the Governor, would have never evaded taxes. If he did, he won’t have ran for primaries. If he did apply, the party officials won’t have accepted the false documents. If they did and this case came up, he would have admitted and stepped down honourably. If he didn’t then he won’t have appealed. If he appealed Mr Ogah’s would have waited to hear the judgement, not to mention INEC not giving him the certificate of return. Kudos to the Attorney General of the state for refusing to take part in this act of shame. For whatever was his reason, he did well. The real issue and problem that has to be tackled is the counter productive orientation of our society. Our society is like a runner who wants to win medals but isn’t training or eating well to win a race. We just want the prize handed to us on a platter. We need to sit and ask ourselves, for how long do we want to continue like this? Are we really thinking and acting the right way? If we want great leadership the society needs to get better and improve.
It is what you put into a pot of soup and how you prepare it that determines how it will taste. A word is enough for the wise.
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