In as much as I appreciate the reasons behind the nullification of Order 10 by the Supreme Court, I dare say that even the constitution review by the NASS can never achieve autonomy for the Juducial and the Local Government Institutions. The dead Order 10 would have started the process of removing the Judiciary from the apron strings of the Emperors. PMB saw the insincerity of his political associates towards the restructuring and decided to take it through his chosen route, which has been killed.
It is now very glaring that the Emperors will bribe, blackmail and muscle the State Legislatures not to vote for their own autonomous existence, that of the Judiciary and the LGs. This is even more glaring as most Speakers want to succeed their Governors and they can never be on their wrong sides. They also want to enjoy the Emperor status. So, the merry-go-round continues.
If we must combat insecurity and develop the hinterlands, we need a strong Local Government system as the foundation for building workable democratic structures. If we want justice, equity, social/interactive justice, and the preservation of people’s rights, we also need an unfettered Judiciary.
For the masses that think that there are differences between the APC, the PDP or indeed other parties, the unity of purpose with which the Emperors fought to have State Police but rose against VAT in its current form, Anti-Judicial/LG autonomy tells us that the Emperors think alike. Besides, they have convergence in all things that will preserve the status quo to enhance their powers, security votes and pocket’ocracy’. It has also shown that they do not believe in ideal democracy and restructuring.
My scorecard on PMB, which is still in the works has the restructuring agenda as a positive. Now that this has failed, PMB should now concentrate on electoral reforms. I hope the political class will also allow any reform in that sector.
In my opinion, as long as the Judiciary and the Local Government have no control over their finances, the determination of their priorities, the socio-economic dividends of democracy will continue to elude the people. I hope the future proves me wrong.
Grace and peace!!!
