By Osita Chidoka
Today was my slowest run and walk as people who don’t normally stop me while running did so. A rare occurrence, as most people just say hello and continue with their exercise. All those who stopped me had one question, what will happen tomorrow at the Supreme Court? I could see the flickering of hope, surrounded by a cynical distrust of our national institutions. They were mostly despondent. The atmosphere, this morning, was bleak as the cloudy and sunless weather reflected the dreary mood of the country.
Four days to hand over and yet no sign of the hope of a new beginning and no excitement. A new government that will be confronted with the most dire economic, social, and security challenges will assume office without broad national approval to take difficult decisions. This a source of grave concern to me and to all those who know the deep craters created in the past eight years.
At no time in our current democratic dispensation have I seen such hope of a possible national renewal combined with a fear of a cynical dismissal of national rebirth hinged upon a day and a single institution. Friday 26th would acquire a halo of importance for a long time to come as a date many looked up to for a miracle. And it could also end as a date that dreams were aborted and hope extinguished. On either count, it is a date to be remembered.
I told a young man who accosted me this morning that the Supreme Court had, in the past, risen to unimaginable heights of courage and unwavering commitment to the law. In Atiku Abubakar and INEC (2006), the court defied a hastily announced public holiday to deliver a judgment that compelled INEC to include Atiku Abubakar on the ballot, on the last day.
The same court brought Governor Amaechi to power via a Pre-election matter and restored Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State 17 days after Sen Andy Uba was sworn in. Those were acts of courage and adherence to the law. In those days they did not hide behind the law or technicalities to perpetuate injustice, they delivered justice.
All eyes and hopes are on the Justices of the Supreme Court. The world is also watching. May justice prevail.
Osita Chidoka is former minister of aviation
