CJN saga: Can Buhari win this war being waged on all fronts? by Buchi Obichie (Opinion)
Editors' note: Amidst the ongoing CJN brouhaha, the writer, Buchi Obichie, analyses what she refers to as the 'multi-fronted war' being waged by the Buhari administration. She explains that as history has shown, the outcome of such a war is usually not in favour of the instigator or those he leads.
On Monday, January 14, serious drama played out at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) as the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government kicked off Day 1 of its arraignment of the chief justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, after accusing him of asset declaration offences
Over 45 SANs appeared in court for the CJN - who did not show up on that day - led by Chief Wole Olanipekun.
The media-hyped spectacle was just the latest episode in the federal government's alleged fight against the judiciary; a situation which began building up, starting with the raid of judges' homes for alleged corrupt activities and progressing to the Paul Usoro (NBA chairman) arraignment for alleged corrupt practices as well.
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The SANs, imposing by their sheer numbers, came ready to show the Buhari administration that the judiciary would not be pushed around or have its territory encroached upon by the executive arm of government.
While they argued 'jurisdiction', some other learned men argued that the Onnoghen trial was 'null, void and unconstitutional.' According to Femi Falana (SAN), going by the Nganjiwa v FRN (2017) case which ruled that judicial officers accused of improper actions must first be brought before the NJC before being arraigned in any criminal court, the government's action against Onnoghen was a 'prosecutorial misadventure'. The trial was eventually adjourned, after the prosecution admitted that the CJN was 'wrongly served.'
In any case, the matter serves to highlight what I see as the 'war on multiple fronts' being waged by the current federal government.
It is no secret that the federal government has been embroiled in a nasty war with the legislative arm of government. From the Saraki arraignment at the CCT - a case which the Senate president eventually won - to the defection of several lawmakers from the ruling party, the back and forth between both arms of government on various issues including the Electoral Act amendment and even the 'booing' of the president during the presentation of the 2019 budget, it has been a never-ending circus.
Even during the 2018 'siege' of the National Assembly by operatives of the DSS, it was alleged that the incident had the backing of certain individuals within the presidency.
But the Buhari administration is not just fighting battles against the two other arms of government; it seems to also be fighting with the last arm of government - the executive. In other words, the Buhari government seems to also be fighting with itself.
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Let me explain.
For a long time now, it has been alleged that there is a 'cabal' within the presidency...a shadowy network led by powerful forces who are said to be the powers behind the throne. Some even allege that they are the real 'leaders' of the country while the president is just a 'stooge' - allegedly - who carries out their bidding.
As the allegation gained traction, even with the president's wife seeming to validate it with her comment that two individuals had clogged the wheels of her husband's administration, the president tried to shut it down, even going as far as challenging his wife to name names.
Despite this, however, the claim has persisted.
Now, whether or not the president is really in charge of the government - I hope he is - it does seem to me that there is a conflict within the executive branch of government, between individuals wielding varying degrees of power.
Added to this conundrum, much of the Nigerian populace (in my opinion) also seems to be at war with the current administration, after having lost faith in the government's ability - or even desire - to bring about 'real change'. I dare say that after over three years, many people can't wait for this show to be over with!
So, how can a government survive - not to talk of leading effectively - when it seems to be waging a war on all fronts? When does it get a 'breather' to do what is expected of it by the people it serves, when it is concerned with 'decimating enemies' in various places?
Even the US president, the most powerful man in the world, has found that the task of governance may be a huge pain in the behind (pardon my french) when one doesn't see eye-to-eye with those he ought to work with.
Nobody ever said that politics was a bed of roses; or the task of governance, a walk in the park. It is also impossible to lead without making enemies - consciously or unconsciously. However, the leaders who get the most done are those who find ways to lead with both a carrot and a stick; pushing and pulling, applying diplomacy and being willing to make deals in the interest of the greater good.
As Germany can authoritatively tell other nations, effective leadership is not possible when a government is fighting wars on all fronts!
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The Nazi government of Adolf Hitler was eventually defeated in WW2 after it made the costly mistake of fighting wars with the Soviet Union in the East and the US-led allies in the West. After a series of early victories, it soon found itself spread too thin, on hostile territory in the dead of winter and facing superior firearms supplied by America. As the armies from East and West made their way into Berlin, Hitler eventually decided to take his own life, effectively ending the war!
I am not saying President Buhari will take his own life - heavens forbid - all I am pointing out is that a war on multiple fronts does no good to the instigator of the conflict...and by extension, it also does no good to those who are led by the instigator of the conflict!
There has to be a better way to solve problems that have far-reaching implications for the present times and future of our country!
N/B: Justice Walter Onnoghen was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari and replaced with Justice Tanko Muhammad on Friday, January 25, shortly after this opinion piece was first published. The saga continues...
This opinion piece was written by Buchi Obichie.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng.
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Onnoghen's trial is politically motivated - on Legit TV:
Source: Legit.ng
