…By Enitan Thompson for TDPel Media.
The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, has strongly criticized the suggestion made by certain Nigerians that Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, should withdraw their court cases against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Amadi argues that such a call is foolish and emphasizes the importance of upholding the principles of fairness and free elections.
Opposing Viewpoints on Withdrawing Court Cases:
Amadi’s remarks come in response to an appeal made by a group aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), known as the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CCSO), urging Obi and Atiku to drop their legal challenges at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.
The APC-aligned group contends that since Tinubu is already fulfilling the aspirations of other candidates, there is no need to pursue the cases in court.
Amadi’s Disagreement and Call for Fairness:
Amadi, however, takes a firm stance against this viewpoint and expresses his disagreement on Twitter.
He states that if it is proven in court that Tinubu did not win the election fairly, he should be removed from office.
Amadi believes it would be foolish to ask the aggrieved parties to abandon their cases, as doing so would prioritize Tinubu’s presidency over establishing the fairness and legitimacy of the 2023 elections.
The Quest for Plastic Heroes and Lessons from History:
Highlighting a broader concern, Amadi criticizes the tendency of seeking “plastic heroes” – leaders who lack genuine merit and legitimacy.
He points out that this mentality is not new, citing the example of African intellectuals in the 1960s who advocated for a one-party state as a means of achieving national development.
However, Amadi argues that this approach failed to deliver on both democracy and progress.
In light of this, he underscores the importance of prioritizing the establishment of fair and free elections over any perceived developmental benefits that may be associated with Tinubu’s presidency.
Conclusion:
Sam Amadi, the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, dismisses the call for the withdrawal of court cases against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency.
He labels such a suggestion as foolish and emphasizes the significance of ensuring the fairness and freeness of the 2023 polls.
Amadi asserts that if Tinubu did not win the election fairly, he should be removed from office, placing the establishment of a just electoral process as a higher priority than any potential development brought about by his presidency.