Keyamo, Heavens Don’t Fall in a Day
By Olusegun Adeniyi In May this year, there was a viral video of a police officer warning Nigerians against recording him while on duty. He was later identified as an
In May of this year, a police officer named Newton Isokpehi gained notoriety for warning Nigerians against recording him while on duty. He threatened to bury anyone who dared to film police officers, holding his rifle in front of him. However, after facing public outrage, Isokpehi posted a video apologizing for his threatening words, admitting he did not mean them.
This incident is not an isolated case. In Nigeria, police officers often use aggressive language, claiming they can act with impunity without facing consequences. The same attitude extends beyond law enforcement, to other aspects of Nigerian society, such as education and religious institutions. It is a common theme that these authorities believe they can do as they please, with no repercussions.
The current focus is on Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. After the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Keyamo posted on social media that "Heavens WILL NOT FALL IF A CERTAIN ATIKU ABUBAKAR IS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN 2027." Despite the court ruling, Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, remains on the party's ballot, with an appeal to the Court of Appeal pending.
The issue raises questions about the relationship between politicians and the judiciary in Nigeria. Many politicians are quick to defend the judiciary when it rules in their favor, but are hostile when the opposite occurs. This double standard has been evident for years, as seen in cases like the one involving Atiku Abubakar and the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Keyamo's statement highlights the power dynamics in Nigeria. While it is true that the president's name on the ballot does not determine the outcome of an election, the issue lies in who gets to choose the president. The Nigerian electoral system allows for internal disputes to be taken to court, but the ruling party often attempts to intervene and prevent such proceedings.
The case against the ADC and the contradictory decisions of two judges within a short period demonstrate the fragility of the Nigerian judicial system. Justice Lifu's order to deregister the ADC and other parties, despite the Court of Appeal's instructions to stay proceedings, showcases the challenges faced by the judiciary in Nigeria.
Ultimately, the phrase "Heavens WILL NOT FALL" may be comforting to some, but it misses the point. The true challenge is ensuring that the rule of law prevails and that all parties, regardless of their political affiliations, are treated fairly and equally before the law.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
