National Rescue Congress Calls for Examination of Law and Morality in Nigeria’s Legal System
The National Rescue Congress (NRC) has highlighted the imperative need to examine the intersection of law and morality within Nigeria’s legal system.
The NRC’s stance is outlined in a statement released by Pastor Emmanuel Ihim Esq and Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji and made available to Excel Magazine International over the weekend.
This follows former Vice President Alhaji Abubakar Atiku’s recent remarks on a contentious Supreme Court verdict, which declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of Nigeria.
The group firmly asserts that Atiku’s observation about the potential unintentional endorsement of criminal behavior by a Supreme Court judgment is not merely an opinion; it serves as a stern cautionary signal concerning legal philosophy and jurisprudence principles.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
National Rescue Congress (NRC) – Press Release
Response to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s World Press Conference on the Nigerian Supreme Court Judgment
October 3, 2023
In a candid and formidable response to the recent statements made by Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, concerning the controversial Supreme Court Judgment, the National Rescue Congress-NRC acknowledges the imperativeness to explore the depths of the legitimacy of law and the moral conundrum posed by legal decrees that starkly contradict fundamental ethical convictions.
Atiku’s assertion that a Supreme Court judgment seemingly rewards criminality spells doom for the nation isn’t just a fleeting opinion; it’s a stern warning on the principles of legal philosophy and jurisprudence. If the highest court in the land does imply that acts deemed criminal should be rewarded, or if an electoral umpire’s actions directly conflict with its public commitments, the fabric of democracy is not just stained; it is torn asunder.
The philosophical musings of Michael Bayles resonate in this context, illuminating the idea that laws contrary to our moral compass are not worthy of obedience. This isn’t mere dissent but a foundational principle of civil disobedience that has historical roots as deep as the actions of Thoreau to the pronouncements of Martin Luther King Jr.
As Atiku postulates, a nation’s hope in democracy and electoral integrity is indeed compromised when legal judgments pave the way for moral decay. Morality, it must be understood, does not emerge from the gavel of a judge nor the ink of a legislator. It is a construct of collective human conscience and social contract that guides the law. When this order is reversed, the outcomes are invariably catastrophic.
The potential for law to express moral beliefs and judgments, as it impacts society, is substantial. Legalizing actions once considered criminal without a profound societal consensus does not merely change legal status; it potentially alters the moral compass of the nation. The analogy of laws being ripples in a societal pond is apt—they do not merely reflect our values but have a hand in shaping them.
The historical reminder of Hitler’s Germany, where all actions within the regime’s legal framework were “legal” yet morally abhorrent, underscores a truth that cannot be overstated—all laws are legal, but not all laws are just. It reinforces the notion that there is legitimacy, even a necessity for civil disobedience in the face of unjust laws.
The NRC posits that legislation should mirror societal values, not contrive them. In a nation grappling with the tides of democratic regression, the guardians of our laws must honor not only the text but also the soul of the law. Atiku’s voice is a clarion call that when justice is jeopardized, the repercussions reverberate far beyond the present.
Alhaji Atiku’s challenge is a call for national reflection, decisive action, and an unwavering resolve to harmonize law with the moral convictions of our society. It is an invitation for a united front against rulings that undermine the bedrock values of our nation. The youth of Nigeria, alongside millions of others, assert that when laws and verdicts diverge from the principles of justice, morality, and popular will, they should be confronted with peaceful, nonviolent, and resolute opposition. The journey toward justice is not confined to the courtroom but also traversed through the persistent and valiant efforts of citizens committed to the cause of a just society.
The NRC stands with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and all Nigerians who demand a legal system that reflects the principles of justice, equity, and morality. We invite every concerned group and citizen to join hands with the National Rescue Congress in this pivotal moment to ensure that the voices of the Nigerian people are not just heard but heeded and their rights are not just recognized but rigorously defended.
As history has repeatedly taught us, the battle for a fair and equitable society is a continuous one, transcending the confines of judicial chambers and playing out in the persistent endeavors of those who will not rest until justice prevails. Indeed, true justice is a journey as much as a destination; it is worth undertaking. In the end, the essence of justice or freedom isn’t about the powerful few but the collective many. It’s about reclaiming our rights, safeguarding our future, and ensuring a country where peace, safety, and prosperity are ideals and realities. In this quest, may we always remember the imperativeness of vigilance, for indeed, freedom is not free.
Contact: National Rescue Congress (NRC)
Pastor Emmanuel Ihim, Esq
Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji
Contact Details: Phone: +1202.446.7555
Email: NationalRescueCongress@gmail.com
#JusticeForNigeria #NRC #ResistImpunity #RestoreDemocracy
