An Appeal to the Judges of Nigerian Election Tribunal and the Supreme Court -By Dr Adiari C.

In the life of every nation, a day comes when its destiny will be decided. No doubt, Nigeria’s moment of decision has finally come as its 2023 Presidential Election has now gone to the court.

As you preside over the Election Tribunal, shall not the Judge of the Nigerian Court do right?

May you realise the weight of decision that hangs on your shoulders as you preside over the case and may you tread the path of honourable men and women of history.

An Example of History

On 29th November 1775, six men met in a room. They called themselves the Committee of Secret Correspondence (CSC). [a]

Spread before them was a case whose resolution they knew would ultimately define what they would become as a people. Knowing the weight of decision that hang on their shoulders, they:

“RESOLVED that every member considers himself under the ties of virtue, honour and love of his country… And that if any member shall violate this agreement, he shall be expelled [from] this Congress, and deemed an enemy to the liberties of America, and liable to be treated as such, and that every member signify his consent to this agreement by signing the same.” [b]

These men were Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Harrison, John Ray, Robert Morris, John Dickinson, and Thomas Johnson. [a]

They were ordinary men, people of no substance, very inconsequential by the reckoning of the then society. Yet they were wise enough to realise that their decision would carry wide-range repercussions not only for their immediate situations, but on millions of souls in hundreds of years to come.

And so they looked deep and long, searching their consciences, to do the right thing before God for the common good of their people.

Realising the weight of such responsibility, they swore an oath of secrecy:

“I do solemnly swear, that I will not directly or indirectly divulge any manner or thing which shall come to my knowledge as of the Board of War and Ordinance for the United Colonies… So help me God.” [a]

From the ashes of this meeting came the Declaration of American Independence of July 4, 1776:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” [c] [d]

Is there any wonder the United States of America has grown to become the envy of modern nations of the world?

The Judgment of History

Today, we all honour and remember these CSC men as great people, but not by how much money they amassed, the number of houses they acquired, how much land they grasped, or by any other ephemeral. Rather we remember their forthrightness in upholding justice and seeking for the wellbeing of their people.

Thereby confirming the words of our Creator: “A good name is better than great riches” (see the Bible book of Proverbs chapter 22 verse one).

In the same manner, the 2023 Presidential Election is pivotal in the life of Nigeria. For the first time in the history of the country, millions trooped out to cast their votes, although many citizens were disenfranchised by the evil manipulations of some wicked people.

The 2023 Presidential Election represents the aspiration and perspiration of the suffering Nigerian. He believes that by his vote his voice will be heard and a consensual leader that will represent the collective will of the people will emerge.

Will you allow financial inducement and corrupt tendencies of the evil one to make you deny the ordinary Nigerian his cry for justice?

Will You Let Financial Inducement to Destroy You?

As you adjudicate on the conduct of the 2023 Presidential Election, realise that you are about to write not just a story but a history that will transcend your very lifespan. How will your great grandchildren view your decision tomorrow?

Will you allow temporal materialism to becloud your sense of good judgment and destroy your place in history? Will you let financial inducement to cause you to proclaim the loser to be the winner? Or will you rather allow justice to take its course?

History is Beckoning

History is beckoning at your doorsteps! Will you use your privileged position to join to usher in the New Nigeria, a nation that will be the pride of Africa? A nation that will unleash the ingenuity of Africa for her to take her rightful place among the powers of the world.

By standing up for the truth, we know there may be threats even to your life because evil is very much alive and kicking among us. However, remember that much stronger are the forces of good and the goodwill of all good consciences.

May you judge right that your name will become written with indelible ink in Africa’s book of records. May you stand for justice that history may be fair to you!

Warning!

But if you choose to sell your conscience and clinical judgment for a morsel of bread, do not forget that nothing hidden will not be uncovered tomorrow. Be rest assured if you follow this path, ignominy will follow you and your family. You will go down in the pit of naughtiness as the traitor of justice and rightness in the New Nigeria. History never forgets!

Remember that no one can fool the whole nation for too long. Be warned that Nigeria is at its disquieting precipice and if you declare the loser winner, you’ll be lighting up a national conflagration, a fire that will engulf and consume you, your family and all your accomplices because no single man is larger than a nation.

Finally, remember that your life, like everyone else, is but transient on earth. You’ll pass on to appear someday before your Creator to account for all the opportunities and privileges He has bestowed on you.

May the Fear of God guide your heart and mind to uphold justice and declare the winner of the 2023 Presidential Election to be the winner and the loser to be the loser.

Dr Adiari C.

NB:

[a], [b], [c], and [d]: inserted references.