Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s last general election, has called on the judiciary to maintain the honor of titles that politicians hold through transparent rulings.
He was addressing the issues of identity crises and controversies that have arisen in Nigerian politics since the 2023 presidential elections.
In his note titled “The Rule of Law and The Credibility of Leadership,” Obi emphasized the importance of titles held by individuals in power and how they lose meaning if they lack integrity and authenticity. He stressed that when there is public doubt about the veracity of titles and claims, it is the role of the judiciary to uphold the honor of these titles through transparent rulings.
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“The lofty titles that decorate people in power have little meaning if there is a hollowness and falsehood underneath them,” he said. “Such titles which adorn those in public office mean nothing if they are not original and are fake if those who bear them have no honour to support the weight of the titles they carry.”
Obi’s statement is coming on the heels of appeals by him and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar at the Supreme Court, challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu, who allegedly stole the election.
Atiku, who in August filed a suit that compelled Chicago State University to release the academic credentials of Tinubu, is asking the Supreme Court to admit the documents as evidence. The documents from CSU reveal that the certificate Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not issued by the university. As a result, the president is facing allegations of certificate forgery.
The Supreme Court said on Monday that “there are two conflicting letters from the CSU – one authenticating the president’s certificate and another discrediting it,” asking “which do we rely on?” This question has been interpreted by many as a sign that the apex court is once again, about to subvert justice.
Based on this concern, Obi further said that the judiciary’s duty to protect society’s value system is crucial, as it helps maintain the rule of law, which is the lifeblood of democracy. He stated that the rule of law is the foundation for fundamental human rights and the principle that binds society together.
“In situations where there is public doubt as to the veracity and authenticity of these titles and the claims behind them, it is the judiciary’s role, when called upon, to uphold the honour of the titles through transparent rulings. Only through such judicial interventions can the public be protected from the tyranny of dubious and duplicitous characters and identity fraudsters,” Obi said.
“In such situations, the judiciary has a bounding duty to protect society’s value system. This is one of the obligations of an impartial judiciary in a democracy. The rule of law remains the lifeblood of democracy in all societies and by whatever definition across time.”
The former Anambra State governor noted that when the fairness of the judiciary is not assured, and the transparency of judiciary operatives is uncertain, the rule of law and democracy itself come under threat. He warned against a situation where the rich and powerful can trample on the rights of ordinary citizens with impunity, which could lead to the erosion of democracy.
“The expectation by the high and low alike that their rights will be protected and respected by fair judges in transparent courts is what keeps citizens’ loyalty and belief in democracy. People, irrespective of their station in life, approach the courts whenever they feel their rights are assailed in the expectation that fair courts will render justice to them according to law.
“However, when the fairness of the judiciary is not assured, and the transparency of judiciary operatives is uncertain, the rule of law will come under severe threat. Once ordinary people lose faith in the fairness of the judiciary, the rule of law is threatened,” he said.
Obi added that the erosion of democracy occurs when the influence of the powerful and wealthy supersedes the rule of law, jeopardizing society. Talking about the consequences, he said in such cases, justice becomes a commodity, corrupting the legal system. When democracy relies on flawed justice, it exposes society to threats like government impunity and the violation of the rights of ordinary citizens.
He concluded by citing US President Joe Biden’s emphasis on the critical role of an economy and government that adheres to the rule of law for the prosperity of a fledgling democracy.
“For any young democracy, the most difficult but important step is burying the legacy of tyranny and establishing an economy and a government and institutions that abide by the rule of law.”