By John Mayaki
I have come to realize that hypocrisy in our political discourse is as predictable as the sunrise. Suddenly, all eyes are on the judiciary – but the real question is: where were these “watchful” eyes when Godwin Obaseki turned Edo State into his personal fiefdom, trampling on the rule of law with reckless abandon?
When Obaseki blatantly disobeyed court orders as governor, there was no outcry – no “all eyes on the judiciary” campaign. No alarms over democracy under threat. No righteous indignation. All eyes, it seemed, were conveniently looking elsewhere – perhaps at PowerPoint presentations that funneled money into private accounts but produced no development.
When Obaseki supervised the abduction of elected members of the state’s legislative arm to stage a botched swearing-in; when he denied representation to the majority of these members, effectively crippling the Assembly and ruling by fiat; when he bulldozed the Chamber and compelled the tiny group he selected to observe clownish plenaries under his thumb, the so-called defenders of democracy remained silent. There was no coordinated uproar. No fancy hashtags. No wailing. They were willfully blind to these atrocities.
When the matter was eventually taken to court and, for four long years, the case was never assigned to any court in Edo State under Obaseki’s watch, those now screaming about “justice” had nothing to say. They didn’t see, couldn’t speak, and felt no spirit of activism.
When Obaseki refused to swear in judges already cleared by the National Judicial Council, these same voices who now claim to be defenders of judicial integrity were mute. Not a word, not a whisper – not even a hashtag.
But with a new administration in place and a different political reality unfolding, the same hypocrites have suddenly rediscovered their voices. Now, they claim to be champions of the rule of law. Now, all eyes are on the judiciary.
Spare us the selective outrage, hypocrites. The truth is simple: those who looked the other way when Obaseki trampled on the law have no moral standing to lecture anyone today. If your principles only apply when they suit your political preferences, then they aren’t principles – they’re just propaganda. Or a desperate cry for help, like a baby that has lost its feeding bottle.
Unfortunately for them, the bottle is never returning. Edo has permanently turned a new page. Those whose eyes have been suddenly forced open by hunger are advised to channel their energy into productive ventures. Farming is a good option, as I have often advised. Otherwise, they will continue wailing into irrelevance.