Hottestgistinnaija
In the past couple of days, no phrase or meme has enjoyed inclusive acceptance and universal usage on the Nigerian internet space over ‘Yes, Daddy Thank you, Daddy’. Nonetheless, as much as it appears interesting to satirize the exposure of the foul acts and destructive propaganda some Nigerian politicians cook in their dark corners, stern attention must be given to moral system and legal values, especially individual fundamental human rights.
It is shocking to see that insignificant number, if not none, of the elitists and the public had, hitherto, deemed it imperative to condemn the invasion of privacy of the Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo. I personally decry the intrusion of their privacy. It is baneful, socially vexatious, logically cynical and flagrant abuse of their constitutionally given rights.
Private correspondences are not legally a subject of publicity. This translates to mean that any act or an attempt at putting same into spotlight in the name of political propaganda or whatnot, offends the privacy protection section 37 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended directly speaks to. Meanwhile, there’s a reason why the section was not assigned any subordinates. It is actionable in court should any of the individuals involved wish to pursue redress.
However, condemning the leakage in my humble opinion is totally separate and unconnected with analyzing the propriety of the contents of the publicized conversation in the spirit of patriotism. Using the binoculars of moral subjectivism, I submit that the entire conversation between the duo discussants is morally disgraceful and religiously scandalous, given the fact that it came at the instance of someone who claims to have unrivaled credibility to rule the country soliciting support from an accomplished man of God with massive religious assembly behind him. This is bigotry in its ugliest appearance.
My logical submission on Peter Obi’s exploration to coup in the church to obtain mandate under a plausible apprehension that it is a ‘religious war’ is ugly and indecent. This statement is a war stimulant and capable of distorting public peace and order. Although, politicians will stop at nothing to secure victory at the polls, but at what cost to the Nation? As governor of Anambra, he was severally accused of religious bigotry by critics wherein they alleged that he ran a catholic supremacy in the state and that almost all sensitive government positions were reserved for members of his religious sect. Peter Obi is factually known for using all weapons available to him against anybody in order to achieve his objectives, not minding any imaginable destruction that could betide in the process, therefore, the revelation of this audio does not come as a surprise. He is a bigot, narcissistic being, self-absorbed personality and arbitrary.
Further, analyzing the conversation from the lens of the law, I can categorically state that the conversation in its entirety is illegal. This is pursuant to the prohibition of certain conducts before and during political campaign being enshrined particularly in Section 92(1) (2) and (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 which forbids abusive language to likely to provoke religious feelings. The law enforcement agencies should investigate into the matter because it is a clear-cut contravention of the law.
Cases in point, there is litany of information of his passé tweets and correspondences available in the cloud which were aimed at religious intolerance. In the exposed recording, it is fathomable that he was the one selling the religious war enterprise to the bishop. His aim, from the recording, is easily inferable. He wanted the votes from christian voters so badly that he doesn’t care to leave them in disunity with their muslim brothers. In the last 7 months, for the most part, his campaign began and ended in churches across the country cajoling church leaders and playing religious cards to catechize their congregants to cast their votes for him. This act, in and of itself, is in constant flouter of Section 97 of Electoral Act 2022. This passage of the law prohibits campaign based on religion and tribe.
It is, however, ironic that the same Church Peter Obi ruined during his administration in 2017 now happens to be his final point of political insurance cover. He desecrated the institution of the church and what it stood for in Anambra State all in a bid to remain known as a conqueror above all any other things. Like he fondly says, on public records, I will bring down every soul in Anambra satate, and I will be the only king that will remain standing. The Nigerian politicians should desist from using religious narrative to divide the populace. This conventional act smears the federal character principle the ultimate law of the Nation sacredly enjoins. Like I have always maintained, God has no business with Nigerian thieving politicians. I advise they carve other niché for themselves and leave religious bodies and institutions out of their shady and pinch penny endeavors.
In conclusion, it is the design of providence that Peter Obi did not emerge as the president in this recently concluded Presidential election. On a flat check, he lacks the requisite aptitude to oversee a large population of people of diverse multi-cultural and multi-religious backgrounds. He has inadvertently crossed so many lines all in the name of scouring for mandate. He’s not fit and proper on a large scale. Once a bigot, always a bigot.
Signed: Comrade Deji Adeyanju
T.O
