Reading David Hundeyin’s article on the Dele Farotimi versus Afe Babalola imbroglio, it is evident that the highly revered SAN has been drawn into a battle that is not really his. This is strongly suggested by the uncharacteristic factual errors in the court filing, (such as confusing a personal Podcast with an official TV Station), coupled with the lag in the time taken to respond to the alleged libel (book published and in circulation since June, objection not filed until November). In fact, the whole development is starkly contrary to the Chief’s own clearly articulated opinion on Criminal versus Civil defamation, where he recommends consideration of possible impact on public peace as basic guiding principle.
In any case, it is hardly to be expected that a
nonagenarian, who has been active for donkey decades in shaping the political
destiny of a country like Nigeria, will not have got involved in one or two
situations they would, on hindsight, wished they had avoided. Even if at all expedient at the time, it
might require lots of explanation and contextualization to justify. Why risk escalating
such matters into a global spectacle?
Just as happened to Prof WS, we can see the government of
the day drawing yet another eminent Yoruba icon, constrained by long-term
friendship, into murky waters for use as proxy in its political battles. Indeed, according to Farotimi, the initial
charges of defamation pressed against him was with respect to Tony Elumelu. Now, why all these? It is being widely
speculated that the forthcoming return of President Trump to the White House in
January next year is not only sending jitters to political players in America, Europe/France
and Iran, but perceived “assets” and protegees
of the Obama Clan in places like South Africa and Nigeria are also bracing up
for impact. In Nigeria in particular, it
means the ongoing vicious calculations towards 2027 elections must need be drastically
revised!
In our opinion, this is the fuel for the current sparks on
the political arena. And it might well
turn into an inferno, come December 10.
Dele Farotimi was whisked away on December 3, precisely the
date he had suggested for a national “Sit-at-Home”
protest to press for radical reforms in the Electoral Act. The adorable Justice Amina Augie (SCJ-Retired)
was lucid in describing
the politicization of the judiciary, following the landmark demonstration of
the power of the Courts in removing a sitting governor, Dr Chris Ngige, from office and installing Mr Peter Obi in his
stead, in Anambra state in 2005. Her heart-warming
and resonating call for holistic reform of the entire judicial system is currently
trending.
As it were, the Babalola versus Farotimi case promises to
shine the limelight on the Nigeria judicial system, and concurrently give
massive publicity to Dele Farotimi’s clamour for radical electoral reforms –
including independent candidacy and mandatory e-transmission of results from
the Ward level. These are two
fundamental issues that can transform the political landscape in Nigeria
overnight. Yes, it is true that we have
deep problems with corruption, insecurity, and the likes. But these are, in actual fact, only evil fruits
resulting from the corrupt roots of a defective power-sharing and power-transitioning
process.
We had previously commented
on how a desperate Tinubu could either be a blessing to Nigeria or a
curse. While his utter desperation to
grab political power finally
helped checkmate the projected ever-lasting Fulani dynasty, the same
desperation could drive him into alliance with any available entity to ensure
he retains firm hold on power. What is
needed then is the constant application of the right pressures, keeping the
government on its toes without driving it into the arms of the many foreign vampires
waiting in the wings with offer of protection against Nigerians. If he could be goaded towards returning
Nigeria to true federalism, then Jephtha would have had his own day!
It is on this note that Church Arise! welcomes the presently
unfolding development at Ado-Ekiti. If
it leads to the desired reforms in the judiciary and electoral laws, we might
well be on our way to the new Nigeria we have all been praying and trusting the
Lord for, all these years. Hopefully,
Are Afe Babalola and Mr Dele Farotimi would be able to come to some sort of
amicable out-of-courts settlement in all of these.
Church Arise!
8th December, 2024
