BEFORE WE PARTY

History has again been written today for the people of Ekiti State and then, the entire Nigerians.
We certainly have seen couple of Governors lose their seats after a long drawn judicial battle and as such may not be so carried away by the recent judgment in Ilorin that unseat Segun Oni. What is special about the pronouncement of Kayode Fayemi as the real winner of the 2007 general elections is that it is as I write the longest appeal process to end on this note in the history of Nigeria's democracy.
In this special attribute yet lies the lesson of this episode in our collective history as we crave for a truly democratic atmosphere and a relatively balanced field for every Nigerian to participate.
It is not out of place to clink glasses of champagne to celebrate the conscious effort of the Judiciary arm to wake from her age long slumber compared to her back-footed sister arms. It is quite reasonable to roll out drums to jubilate the enthronement of the true wishes of the Ekiti electorate. Very much in order it is, to channel our prayer points in this direction that every other state currently held hostage by perpetual rape of justice be unchained by the dispassionate venom of the blindfolded effigy. We can go ahead to party but before we do, what lessons have we learnt.
The best of organisations and indeed nations are those that have preserved their past in preparation for the challenges of today and the unknowns of the future. Those that have remained focused even in wild celebrations and calculative in sober times. Verily I say unto you, those that have had a taste of justice, had fought tenaciously and indefatigably. Nothing about it is free and the first step to having a feel is to speak out.
We should proceed to ask ourselves what has taken it so long for the truth to be said. Were the facts presented before the Ilorin appeal court different from those that have been placed before other courts and tribunals? Were these facts viewed under different goggles? Would it be fair to conclude that it is within the scope of human errors to have missed these salient facts by other judges or were the omissions borne out of deliberate and willful manipulation of facts and truth?
If it is so established, would it be out of place to seek that we escorts these set of vultures to the gallows before coming back to raise our glasses. I can't stand the fact that these dishonourable men would still adorn the wig and gown and seat on some other cases. God forbid I stand before them!
If we refuse to take this bold step, justice in Nigeria may end up being a mere compensation by the ruling class to divert the watchful eyes of the masses.
Without sounding unnecessarily personal, I do not owe Kayode Fayemi a congratulatory message, i am sure hundreds of it would greet pages of national dailies; all sponsored by allies and sycophants. In similar vein, my write up seeks not to portray Fayemi in the light of a freedom fighter.
I owe the People of Ekiti who remained resolute even in the face of harsh brutalities. They spent endless days fasting and praying for justice to be done. Today, prayers have been answered; I equally owe the honourable men of the bench who chose the path of truth and refused to mortgage the mandate of Ekiti people for frivolous gifts. I owe Nigerians who have followed closely the Ekiti massacre of truth and false proclamation of office for the past three years.

We must also consider the length of this legal tussle and the resources that must have been committed to its execution. You would agree with me that it is not a common man's task. How many teachers, farmers or pensioners whose means of livelihood is tailored by genuinely earned remunerations would have been able to pursue this case thus far? How many inmates today, have continued to languish in prisons as a result of miscarriage of justice and their inability to afford legal charges? How many students' activists have been kept out of school because all they can afford is free legal services? How many more would still suffer grave injustice because of the true cost of Justice?
This is not the democracy we truly hoped for. We have only withdrawn into our shells and taken the best of what we are offered by the system. We have always wished for a system that enthrones principles and vision; not moneybags and over-laboured generals.
By my estimation, the only difference between Oni and Fayemi is the name they individually answer and the party they represent. Beyond that, they both represent a part of the rich few who have continuously held the poor majority to ransom.
Fayemi, would assume office and proceed to change the cabinet. The Oni allies need to be discharged for his boys to come in. That may just imply that Oni's selection was never based on merit but political connections; nothing says Fayemi's would be better off.
What is for sure is taxpayers' money would service yet another avoidable waste.
Just for quick rethink, how does one explain the fact that a Segun Oni who knew that he was never elected as governor, would be the one seeking tenure elongation? Men are just desperate and devilish.
The quest for fame and office more often than not exposes weakness and man's true appreciation and use of power. Fayemi has been enthroned; events of the next few months and years would vindicate me.
Good people of Nigeria, let's take sometime out to ponder over these and more from every other corners of thought. It would definitely shapen the type of party we are to throw before we party.
God bless Nigeria.
N:B
I hope Prof. Jega would not wait for people to ask him to relief Madam Ayoka Adebayo if she's still in service. She doesn't appear to me like a person that would be shameful enough to quit the INEC job.
INEC Chairman Sir, do the needful.