The Death of a National Conscience.

It is high time we realized the importance of restoring the stool of conscience in our daily lives if we hope to create a successful and just society.

By Fada Emmanuel Uchechukwugeme Ogbu.

Conscience, the voice – or the habit that makes us detest what is wrong and conduct our actions in ways that are not morally reprehensible (synderesis) – within us that distinguishes right from wrong, seems to be fast fading away in our society.

 From lawyers to politicians, electoral umpires to priests and pastors, and even the military, police, judiciary and people in general, the death of conscience is evident. The just concluded selections (or imposition of leadership through blatant violation of the sanctity of the ballot) in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa are a disgrace to the value called conscience.

In fact, the lack of moral compass and integrity appears to be the norm, creating a world where wrongdoings are not only brazenly commonalized but also needlessly celebrated. It is high time we realized the importance of restoring the stool of conscience in our daily lives if we hope to create a successful and just society.

The Nigerian Legal System.

The culture of bribe-taking and denial of justice in our legal system is a significant cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of our society.

Shame upon the bar and the bench which work in cahoots to deny the poor justice due to bribes from politicians. This turn of event is a disgrace to the legal profession and a threat to our nascent democracy.

Such actions within the temple of justice not only bring disrepute to the entire legal profession but also promote a putrid culture of corruption and inequality in our society. Such perversion of justice that we experience today has led to a scenario where the rich can buy their way out of crimes, leaving the vulnerable to suffer.

Shame to you Lawyers! This beast you are creating today will consume all of us like the Frankenstein monster. Your actions have created a state of unrest, tension and a general breakdown of law and order.

Your actions shake the very foundation of our democracy and stalls our progress as a nation. It erodes the trust people put in legal institutions, deepens corruption, and creates an avenue for the exploitation of the poor. Shame on you!

It is unacceptable that justice can be bought and sold, and it creates a culture of impunity that disregards the fundamental principles of fairness and equity that the legal profession upholds.

A lawyer should be seen as an advocate of justice and a defender of the rule of law, not the one who helps in perpetuating injustice. The Nigerian Bar Association as at today is a total disgrace. I will advise the Body to quickly take a more proactive stance in ensuring that all those who are part of this conspiracy are punished or it faces the ignoble macabre dance in the market place.

The Politicians

How did we get here? Oh you wicked politicians, is this what you call democracy?

Politicians who deny the poor their fundamental human rights and justice by manipulating electoral processes, killing innocent citizens and bribing the electoral commission and tribunal to their advantage are among the biggest threats to our democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.

Your actions undermine the legitimacy of the democratic process, erode public trust in government institutions, perpetuate corruption, and create a culture of impunity.

Manipulating electoral process means that only your interests are served, leaving the people without a voice. This suppression of the voice of the people has led to frustration, anger and will soon fuel unrest and violence.

Your killing of innocent citizens has created a sense of insecurity and fear among the people, making it impossible for the people to exercise their democratic rights. This not only puts the lives of individuals at risk but also undermines our collective security as a nation.

The bribing of electoral commissions and tribunals to secure victories shows a very low IQ and undermines the rule of law and justice in our society. It is a blow to our values as a nation and creates an environment where those with money and power can do whatever they want, leaving the poor and vulnerable to suffer.

Your actions represent a significant challenge to democracy, social justice and development in Nigeria. Your actions have resulted to poverty, insecurity, instability and will ultimately lead to the collapse of the state soon.

The INEC

The (In)dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was established to play a critical role in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. Shame on you! Anyway, when a commission like yours compromises itself, the electoral act, the Nigerian constitution, and the people’s trust because of money, you undermine your credibility and integrity as an institution, which has a devastating effect on democracy, peace, and unity of Nigeria.

By compromising standard for money and or favouritism, INEC has succeeded in denying the citizenry the right to democratic processes of voting and counting their votes. You created a sense of disenfranchisement, frustration, and anger among the people, which can lead to violence and unrest. Your failure to conduct free, fair and credible elections has resulted in an erosion of trust in the democratic process, leading to the perception that votes no longer count and that politics in Nigeria is a game of the highest bidder. This is very unfortunate!

Your actions INEC, show that the votes of the poor and vulnerable have no value, making it impossible for the ordinary citizen to have the same right and voice as the rich and powerful. You created a feeling of hopelessness and further entrenches the status quo, where the rich and powerful continue to dominate Nigerian politics.

Are you really happy with the beast you have created? When elections are not free and fair, and votes do not count, it creates a situation where winners and losers are disputed, leading to conflicts, unrest, and violence across the country. I know that this is what you want. But just know that this situation can further deepen ethnic and religious divisions, leading to incertitude, insecurity, and the loss of life and property.

Shame on you. Your senseless actions in compromising yourselves, the electoral act, the Nigerian constitution, and the people’s trust for money denied the poor their right to a democratic process of voting and counting their votes. You only succeeded in undermining the credibility and integrity of your institution, leading to an erosion of trust in the democratic process and ultimately leading to the loss of peace, stability, and unity in Nigeria.

Law Enforcement Agencies

I used to know that the role of law enforcement agencies is to uphold the principles of justice and equality by providing security and protection to citizens during elections and other activities. However, when law enforcement agencies deny the poor justice because they have been bribed by politicians, it undermines their credibility, reduces the dignity of the people, and has a devastating effect on the lives of Nigerians. Who cares!

By accepting bribes from politicians, you become complicit in election rigging, effectively silencing the voices of the people who have voted in an election; denying the poor their rights to justice and an equal say in the democratic process.

It is a gross violation of our fundamental human rights and undermines the democratic principles that Nigeria seeks to uphold. But are you not ashamed that you can throw away your values and integrity for money?

What can one say about law enforcement agents who cart away ballot boxes, shoot and kill innocent people, and engage in other unlawful activities during elections? It not only diminishes the value of human life, it also reduces the dignity of the people and makes you look worthless. Your actions not only violate human rights but also contribute to the violence and instability that have crippled our growth and development as a country.

The Clergy

The clergy, composed of bishops, priests, and pastors who are tasked with a divine task of guiding their flock towards righteousness and providing spiritual succor to all are not left out in this Bazaar of oddity.

Their perpetual silence or muffled voice in the face of evil and their abandonment of the poor masses in times like this is a gross violation of their Christian duties.

Many of these Church men and women have allowed themselves to be bribed by politicians, leading to their inaction in the face of evil.

In the Bible, James 2:15-16 states, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”

By failing to provide aid to the poor masses and speaking out about the injustices they face, the clergy is guilty of ignoring the physical and spiritual needs of their congregation.

I advise you to eschew partisan politics and face your duties. Be what you are called to do. Your present unholy marriage with politicians is a violation of the Christian ethic of love, compassion, and service to the community. The poor masses are left to suffer from the corrupt practices of politicians and they are hopeless. The prominence given to these known destiny snatchers (politicians) in the church by the clergy smacks off justice as the bedrock of the Christian witnessing. Go and fulfill your duties as Christian leaders, speaking out against injustice and corruption while working towards providing spiritual and physical support to the poor masses.

The Nigerian Masses

This is the only time to take back your country. Nothing can change if we do not act fast. We all have a moral and civic responsibility to work towards promoting the truth, justice, and equality for all. However, our failure to stand up against politicians who manipulate and use us against these principles will continue to have a negative effect on us.

By allowing ourselves to be used as tools of oppression and suppression by these heartless politicians, we are contributing to the perpetuation of corruption and inequality. This has given them (the politicians) more power and emboldened them to commit more egregious acts of corruption and violence against us.

The time to act is now. We need to come together in unity against this ongoing oppression and suppression by the politicians. We must stand up for the truth, justice, and equality for all, regardless of tribe, religion or social status.

When we work together to fight against the corrupt practices of these politicians, we can create a better future for ourselves and future generations. United action can bring forth change towards a just and equitable society where honesty, transparency, and accountability are the norm.

My final words

To begin the revolution, we need to start this way:

1. Since it is clear that the hijackers – political parties in power, INEC, all the so called Judiciary and Law Enforcement Agencies are working together, I will advise all contestants in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa never to congratulate any of the INEC criminals and never attempt going to Court but rather hold an International Press Conference, where you will tell the world where we are as a country.

2. All the so called Justices and their families should be on a red list for compromising the system.

3. We should unite ourselves the more and be our brothers’ keepers – sharing with one another other in love whatever we have, loving one another and creating opportunities for each other.

4. Let us unite in communities, ignoring the criminals and working together to make our lives better.

5. All the criminal elements should be disgraced wherever they appear by ignoring them with their ill wealth. They will get tired!

6. We should try and disassociate entirely with them, denying them all services and refusing to acknowledge their ill-gotten positions. We can make it!

7. As for the unjust judges, we have to neglect their judgement and move on. They will all pay for their misdeeds here and hereafter. Their judgment should not affect our happiness and ability to love one another. Together, we shall shame them.

8. I want to remind us that we must take responsibility for the actions of those politicians we acknowledge and allow to lead us. We must from hence demand transparency and accountability from them and not be used as instruments of oppression and suppression.

9. Finally, unity is essential in reversing the negative effects of political corruption and creating a society that values justice and equality for all. The fight against political corruption will not be easy, but with determination, courage, and a shared vision of a better future, it is possible to create a Nigeria where truth and justice prevail, “As new Nigeria is Possible!”