WHAT INDEED IS THE RULE OF LAW?Written by Kay LordI remember one of President Obama’s key promise during his first term campaign;
“I will shut down Guatanamo Bay prisons. It is hypocritical of America to be preaching democracy and rule of law to the world yet own a facility where suspects are kept without trial for many years. The shutting down of that illegal detention centre would be one of my first executive order once I am sworn in as the President of the United States. ” (Paraphrased)
As I write this, Obama is nearing the end of his second term in office and Guatanamo prison is still standing and the US are still detaining high risk suspects there, some for upward of 10 to 15 years without trial or prosecution in any law court anywhere in the world.
Obama came to office as a green horn in security matters. He did not know that security issues are not subject to campaign rhetoric. I remember John McCain, his Republican challenger, a war veteran and a Senator of over 30 years, who had chaired several Senate security committee in the US Senate telling Obama he does not know what he’s talking about!
You will wonder why Obama kept silent on Guatanamo till now? Now, he knows better. That’s why I laugh reading Facebook ‘activist’ and unrepentant Buhari bashers pontificating and sermonising over the rule of law after what President Buhari said about granting bail for individuals that has serious case against the state that pertains to security issues.
What folks don’t understand is that the rule of law itself is subject to the rule and right of a nation when it pertains to the security and wellbeing of the people of a country against that of a few individuals. That’s why, the USA that calls themselves the land of freedom and the bastion of democracy in the world do not care about the rule of law when it concerns the security of her people. That supercede any rule of law. Cry from today to eternity, you are just wasting your time and effort, America will ignore you and do what they have to do.
Check this; the US flouted every international law when the President of the US ordered special combat forces to go into the territory of another sovereign nation, Pakistan in order to get Osama bin Laden. Not only was Osama ordered to be killed extra judicially but his corpse was even buried at sea. When I read a book detailing the preparation for that mission by one of the members of that special force that entered into Pakistan under the cover of the night, you will realize that when it comes to the security and safety of the United States, they are ready to flout any law. Now, do you want to accuse Obama of illegality? Has Pakistan sued America at the World court? Also, please who amongst the vuvuzelas shouting themselves hoarse on Facebook will pick up the gauntlet and sue the President of the US for killing Osama bin Laden extra judicially? Ohhh don’t they think Osama bin Laden has fundamental right to fair hearing? Yeye people!
One of the reasons I supported president Buhari came to fore during his media chat. I am an advocate of the rule of law and I believe in it but personally I believe we have to draw a line when the rule of law comes into conflict with security, safety and the well being of citizens of a given nation. You can’t flagrantly abuse the security and well being of the people and come around to shout about rule of law when it’s time to face the consequences of your action. Our judicial process must be overhauled to conform with the reality of the moment. America knows this better. For once, this country has a President that is ready to lead! It’s not that PMB does not believe in the rule of law. After all, this is a man that was rigged out of election on about 3 occasions but followed the rule of law by going all up to the Supreme court to seek redress.
What the President is saying to whoever care to listen is that, when it comes to the safety, well being and progress of this nation no individual would use the rule of law to escape justice. That’s why he said point blank concerning the Shi’ite issue that you can’t have a state inside a state! It’s either folks are ready to shape up or ship out! This country has been thrown to the dogs, it’s high time we take it back and put it on the path of sanctity. Enough of lilly livered leadership, it’s time to run this country according to dictates of the time we live in.
If you don’t like it, sorry, we have a country to run and you will have to excuse us.
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Tags : Buhari, rule of law
