Lawyers Gone Wild...
Watching the unfold on TV, has made me ask some question about the state of 'followership' in Nigeria. President Musharraf declared a , in a bid to avoid a general elections in Pakistan, this resulted in the country's lawyers taking to the streets in protest of the Head of states declaration. I am aware that Pakistan's situation is more convoluted than the statement above, I was still struck by the action of the Pakistan middle class. Lawyers, successful ones at that, were willing and motivated to take to the streets notwithstanding the military junta currently in power.
Zoom in on Nigeria. Do you see the banker boys taking to the streets if the Federal government breached the rights of Nigerian citizens? Really do you? Do you really see the loving, E-class coveting folks marching down the streets of Abuja and Lagos. I like to think of democracy as a contact sport. If we have any aspirations to achieve good governance in Nigeria we had better bring our A-game. Democracy and good governance can not be decoupled from property rights and fundamental human freedom, as long as we are willing to make do with the oppression of area boys on the streets and thugs in government, not much will be achieved in the area of good governance.
I have concluded that asking for good leaders in Nigeria is like asking for the impossible. We need active followers who will be willing to put the leaders right as they err, and depart from the constitution. Only after this is done we will then be entitled to dream about a better Nigeria. Before then let each man search his soul until he finds that he is the cause of Nigeria's problems.
9Comment(s):
actually the state of emergency is a reaction to the lawyers' actions.
they started protesting months ago when the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court got removed after the Supreme Court ruled that the military ruler couldn't run for president while being the head of the army.
So to be fair, lawyers are really taking it to the streets to defend the judicial system, not "the rights of the pakistanis".
The equivalent would be if banker boys took it to the streets after the independance of the central bank got attacked.
So to be fair, lawyers are really taking it to the streets to defend the judicial system, not "the rights of the pakistanis".
And the purpose of the judicial system is to...
Back to the banker boys...if their jobs were taken from them they'd still be scared chilling at home. I am talking about the Nigerian 'middle class' here. A rather selfish and scared bunch...why do you think Nigeria has one of the most financialy oppresive society. In this case I do not agree with you. Na...maybe in another country but my brothers are guilty of this one.
i don't know..
the purpose of the judicial system is complex but while the movement in Pakistan has snowballed, it started in a rather coorporatist way. It was lawyers and judges not liking that their position is messed with.
now, the feeling that i got is that, when OBJ tried to get his third term, had he tried to go on the obviously illegal route (i said obviously, raiding tv channels is rather indirect) a lot of voices would have made themselves loud.
weren't there nigerian lawyers involved in the anti-abacha movement ? in resistance to Babangida's worse moves ? or even in the against third term thing ?
may be you're right, banker boys wouldn't have done much (or would have been way easy to buy), however in Pakistan it's lawyers, not banker boys.
You know, the whole Pakistan scenario just reminds me of Niaja when the Military Junta were in control (Although, I still suspect they are, but that's just me!!) and I keep hearing Fela's 'Zombie' track.h
I don't agree with you Omodudu, I know many professionals who put their safety and careers on the line to oppose Abacha and Babangida our own equivalents of Musharraf.
@Seyoyo, really I was using the June 12 episode as a backdrop for this entry...My neighbour (attached properties) was in charge of clearing up the protests for the state back then...I beleive that episode really opened my eyes to the actions of Nigerias middle class. Not pretty...
I will be back over the weekend to explain this phenomenon...
I know what you mean, omo. Our western media always reports every street protest or demonstration as a political "problem" or "instability." To me, these are a good sign since they show how much the people care in these countries. It is shameful how weapons and riot control equipment manufactured by American companies are being used overseas.
Isn't that what lawyers do, though? I know I am biased but that is part of the reason why i studied the law in a the first place. I knew and knew of lawyers that were standing up against madness.
Anyway, whether they are protesting for the people or the law it truly doesn't matter because at the end of the day, the judicial system is there to protect the people. Unless you live in Nigeria where our constitution gives way too much power to individuals without providing checks and balances...