DASUKIGATE CINEMATIC EXTRAVAGANZAS: RULE OF LAW OR A SLIDE INTO DICTATORSHIP? Femi Ojo

Picture Courtesy of  watchdognews.net

First let me say that I am not a member of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party nor am I in support of the blatant degeneration of our polity under the various governments of erstwhile self-acclaimed biggest party in Africa. Truthfully, the last administration led by Mr. Jonathan was a government of cataclysm – this assertion however, may attract polemics. Having made this declaration above, it is also pertinent to add that the current ruling party is a party that I observe closely and I am still keenly watching to see its commitment to the “change” mantra. So, like PDP, I am not a member of the ruling party but I will be happy to see that APC deliver its many over-hyped political promises of “change” mantra with high sense of urgency. Anyway, I am just a concerned Nigerian with no party affiliation!

I made the above declaration explicable because of those who might have misconcepted that I am sentimentally attached to one of the political parties because at one period or the other, I have had to harangue some recent political developments in our polity.

Now to the subject matter, since the inception of the new ruling administration, our polity has assumed a Nollywood movie status especially the ongoing Dasukigate back to back cinematic extravaganzas. We have seen different episodes of how the Dasuki ATM disbursed security budget of $2.1 billion to politicians and all manner of people for the purpose of winning the last presidential election for the defeated PDP and I am convinced that Dasuki, the star actor at the heart of this messy movie will sing more of what he knows soon. Sadly, this is not a good Nollywood political movie and I believe that no doubt the new government should bring the actors in this dubious movie to book within the ambit of the law. But there have been polemics on this issue and the debates revolve around if Mr. Buhari’s administration is obeying the rule of law on this matter or he is still a romantic of the 1980’s, where order rather than rule of law characterized his then military presidency?

In his column last Monday in the Nations newspaper titled “To catch a thief” Mr. Sam Omatseye opined that Mr. Buhari would have to look for laws to help him or exercise patience. The danger in the possibility of a slide into dictatorship if care is not taken and strict obedience to the law on this matter is eminent. The aforementioned statement seems to be the summary of Omatseye article. One other erudite scholar, a Nigerian professor who resides in South Africa, Prof. Tayo Adeyemo on his Facebook page wrote “What do I gain if Dasuki and co are released? Nothing! What do I lose if Buhari is tyrant and wouldn’t respect rule of law? Absolutely nothing. Another government feeds me not Nigeria. I’m neutral but I want the best for my country. I try to keep quiet and watch but I can’t. What I saw 10 years ago, some people are still battling to see now. I know wrong when I see it. It is like the presence of a ghost that I can’t prove but I know when present. Whether people believe me or not, it doesn’t matter. Buhari is wrong and should adjust. This is democracy. Principles are followed in all situations. This is not military government and we are not moving forward but backward. You don’t have to agree but that’s the truth. We don’t break rules to set rules right. Two wrongs can’t make a right. It is wrong to arrest before evidence surfaces. Investigation should always precedes arrests”

 But let us ask ourselves, in this present situation where the yam eaters have eaten virtually all our yams without due process, must Mr. President run by the book?  Those who believe that Mr. President is on the right track have opined that for all they care, there should be no bail for the accused, they believe they have blood of the innocents on their hands and Mr. President should make sure they return the stolen yams and if they must die in jail, so be it. These people are of the opinion that for us to move forward as a nation the President must use all he can to bring those who stole to book.

Looking at divided opinions on Mr. President’s action on the issue of anti-

corruption, can we actually agree with Omatseye that concluded that “part of the problem is that Buhari is part soldier, part democrat but the soldier has failed to part ways with the past. It’s a schizophrenic tension” What do you think people about this Dasukigate cinematic extravaganzas?