Fayose: when loyalty is preferred to integrity!

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By Kingsley Paul

Ayo Fayose (second from left)

What is happening in Ekiti State is absurd. People no longer respect the rule of law. Going by what trended in the news recently, how could Fayose have allegedly slapped the judge of a law court and had him beaten up by his thugs. 

If not the person of the judge at least the institution should be respected. If such act should be condoned, which way our country? Which means a judge will now be afraid to administer justice for fear of being attacked or probably killed. 

A judge represents a sacred institution that preserves law and order in a country. Imagine a country where the rule of law is disregarded. If your qualification for contesting an election is challenged why not conduct yourself in a civilised manner to dispute the argument against you.

No doubt that some judges might have sold their consciences and justice can be purchased thereby ridiculing our judicial system. I believe if the judiciary disassociates itself from corrupt practices it will command the respect it deserves in the society.

In Nigeria, credibility has taken the back seat; loyalty is much more compensated no matter the character, antecedents, incompetence or the past of who is involved. You find people in leadership who should not have been there in the first place.

Yet we are clamouring for the growth of the nation! I would be the one person who would have been troubled had Omisore defeated Aregbesola in Osun State. 

Should we be moving forward or backward? We should be mindful of the future and building a sane society. A country that is serious about its development will not toy with the virtues of credibility and accountability. 

Nigeria should not be running a system where anyone who speaks out against the ills in the society or engages the government to do the right thing is marginalised or hated while sycophantic loyalists are handsomely rewarded. 

Parties should be fair to our dear country by presenting men of integrity and vision to fly their flags than giving us men of questionable character or men who exhibit thuggish trait in trying to compensate them. Men of questionable character may win by strategy, rigging, tricks, or other means but where does it take us? 

Fayose is not yet sworn in; if it’s confirmed that he slapped the judge, he should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.