- Seeks More Role for Women In Leadership Positions
A legal icon and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chief Wole Olanipekun has revealed the critical role played by President Bola Tinubu in preventing the nation from sliding into a one-party state when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was controlling the presidency.
The lawyer who expressed worry over the growing waves of defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noted that opposition leaders must be courageous and steadfast like Tinubu did between 1999 and 2015, in ensuring the opposition politics thrives in the country.
He spoke on Monday while delivering the convocation lecture of the 13th convocation ceremonies of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), titled ‘ Nigeria – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Imperative of a Sober and Definitive Recalibration’
He canvassed that political parties and association must be formed based on common ideology rather than personal and percuniary gains, saying, ” If this is the position, it might be very difficult or not so easy for people from one party to migrate to the other so often with remarkable ease as we witness nowadays.”
He urged the opposition political gladiators to emulate the steadfastness and commitment of President Bola Tinubu when he was the face of the opposition since 1999 till 2015, despite the intimidation and harassment by the then ruling party.
According to him, ” Had President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whether as Governor Tinubu or thereafter as ‘Citizen Tinubu’ succumbed to the harassment and intimidation of the then PDP ruling party, Nigeria would have become a one-party state as far back as 2023 or immediately thereafter.
” Even when he was arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on some criminal charges, he did not blink or panic, rather, he instructed his Legal Team, led by my humble self to apply for service of the Charge on his behalf, before he was formally served, since the news had already filtered to the press and public.
” Until he was discharged and
acquitted, he was physically present at all the proceedings of the Tribunal. Tinubu not only withstood and survived the PDP Tsunami, he also encouraged opposition figures to come together, ultimately birthing the APC in 2013.
” May we not readily orget that the great Abraham Lincoln contested the US Presidency seven times before he finally succeeded and became one of the greatest global statesmen. All through, he did not defect from his political party.
” Unknown to the public and initially unbeknownst to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, but for his intervention in briefing counsel to go
and contest the suit sponsored by the PDP challenging the eligibility of Buhari to participate in the 2015 Presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari might have been disqualified.
” It is also common knowledge that, as an opposition figure and leader, he supported, empathized and sympathized with members of the ruling party who were facing ‘persecution’ under the big Umbrella. But for him, some of the present opposition leaders would have been emasculated or annihilated by their own political parties.
” A case in point was the impeachment of Governor Rasheed Ladoja which was orchestrated by his own political party and leadership; where he (Tinubu) quickly rose to his rescue, gave him the necessary encouragement, support and morale including assemblage of a formidable Legal Team, which eventually led to the setting aside of the impeachment by the Supreme Court; a decision that has over the years served as reprieve for Governors who were/are ordinarily susceptible to legislative and political harassment.
“To recalibrate our democratic system, a note of caution should be sounded against the wave of cross-carpeting from one political party to the other, with the hope that those who move so regularly and easily would not, sooner or later, inflict implosion and explosion on their host-political parties. Membership of a political party should not be a tea party or picnic, but a serious business. There should be fidelity to policies, ideas, programs, manifesto, philosophy, principles and ideology. That is what operates in stabilized democracies of the world.”
He advised the National Assembly to stop further action on the amendment of the 1999 constitution and prepare the nation for a new acceptable constitution.
Olanipekun who traced the foundation of the 1999 and other constitutions in the country, noted that the country would find it difficult to achieve greatness and development unless there is a new generally acceptable document for the country.
To achieve this, he appealed to the federal lawmakers to suspend the ongoing process for amendment of the constitution and set the country for a transition after the 2027 general election, where they will be a referendum for a new document in 2031.
In making a strong case for the conduct of a national referendum, he described it as “a solemn act by which people collectively speak in unison to decide matters of grave national importance.”
He argued that sovereignty, as enshrined in Section 14(2)(a) of the existing1999 Constitution, resides in the people, who therefore have an inalienable right to determine how they wish to be governed.
On women participation in governance, Olanipekun identified the various women who are excelling across leadership positions including in politics, academics, and economic sectors.
According to him, ” With these very brilliant and riveting examples from the womenfolk, it is my submission that, we must be conscious and courteous, deliberate and persuasive, encouraging and thoughtful in promoting our women to positions of leadership.
” With their kind and tender touch, sensitive motherly mien, empathetic and sympathetic disposition and natural capacity to nurture, they will bring about a better Nigeria, whether in the academia, private sector, administration, politics or governance.
To this end, we look forward to a day, in the very near future, where and when we will have the first Nigerian elected female Governor and, ultimately the first elected female President.
” I am however not unaware that for a brief period, through the exigencies of political circumstance, Dame Virgi Ngozi Etiaba, temporarily served as the Governor of Anambra State in 2006. Whether the menfolk accept it or not, our womenfolk have become irresistible forces in academia, whether as students or teachers, as well as in the professions, as exemplified in the legal and medical professions, where the women now appear to be taking charge. Nevertheless, my admonition to the women is that they should stop thinking that the highest aspiration is to be First Ladies, they should aspire and strive to be First Citizens, and let the men, their husbands, find titles for themselves, when the time comes, maybe First
Gentleman.”
Rayopost
