Peter Obi: Titles don’t honour men

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), recently took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that titles alone do not bestow honor upon individuals; it is the individuals who bring honor to the titles they hold.

In a statement released by the Obi-Datti Media Office on a late Tuesday evening, Obi indirectly referred to the President, highlighting that identity crises and controversies have persisted within the Nigerian power structure since the presidential elections of February 25, 2023.

He stated, “There is a well-known adage that ‘It is not titles that honor men, but men honor titles.’ The grandiose titles that adorn individuals in positions of power lose their significance if they lack substance and integrity. Titles like ‘President’ or ‘Governor’ that are bestowed upon public officials hold little meaning if they lack authenticity and are carried by individuals who lack the honor to uphold the responsibilities associated with those titles.”

Obi continued, “In situations where there is doubt regarding the authenticity of these titles and the claims associated with them, it becomes the responsibility of the judiciary, when called upon, to uphold the honor of these titles through transparent legal rulings.”

He stressed that only through such judicial interventions can the public be safeguarded from individuals who may possess dubious identities or engage in fraudulent activities. In such circumstances, an impartial judiciary is obliged to protect the societal value system, which is a fundamental role in a democracy.

Obi asserted, “The rule of law is the cornerstone of democracy across all societies and eras. It serves as the bedrock for safeguarding our basic human rights. The rule of law unites society, as both the privileged and the marginalized anticipate that their rights will be upheld and respected by impartial judges in open courts.”

He further pointed out, “When citizens lose trust in the fairness of the judiciary, the rule of law becomes imperiled. Consequently, faith in democracy is also jeopardized. A society is at risk when the rule of the mighty replaces the rule of law. In such a scenario, justice becomes a commodity negotiated between the influential and corrupt elements within the judiciary.”

Obi warned of the dangers of a democracy based on flawed justice, as it could lead to governments acting with impunity and disregarding the rights of ordinary citizens. He cautioned that this could pave the way for a democracy to devolve into an autocracy.

In closing, he invoked the words of US President Joe Biden, who aptly said, “For any emerging democracy, the most challenging yet vital step is to leave behind the legacy of tyranny and establish an economy, government, and institutions that operate in accordance with the rule of law.”