The burden of crusaders

ThE maxims of equity, according to Wikipedia, are legal aphorisms that serve as a set of general principles or rules which govern the way equity operates. However, for the purpose of this intervention, amongst the list of the many maxims, a particular one appeals to the reasonability of this engagement and it is the fact that, “equity will not suffer a wrong to be without a remedy.” But the fulcrum of the message here is that you must have been unjustly wronged to be deserving of the remedy here alluded to.
It is to this extent that in the doctrine of equity, the famous clean hands maxim applies. Listen again: “He that hath committed iniquity shall not have equity.” The maxim is sometimes expressed thus: … “He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.” The National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire has, in the last few weeks, thrown up a debate in the theatrics of Lagos politics. The young man, who rose to prominence by virtue of his appointment into the Lagos State government by former governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 1999, where he worked for an upward of 12 years, has suddenly realised that the system that threw him up and which has brought him thus far is no longer ideal in a sane democratic setting. He is by all means selling a convenient narrative.
Indeed, it is arguable that the democratic approach of the so-called progressives in this part of the country is to say the least ideal. Their central control system, which jettisons the direct input of the people in their own affairs, is known to discountenance the tenets of all familiar democratic ethos and frowns at an effective collegiate system. Ironically, this is the same system that has yielded what is widely celebrated today as the outstanding achievements of the progressives amidst the pervasive national disappointment, with impressive leadership (whether or not imposed) and which is of course, driving the poster governance in this part of the country. People have complained. Even members of their party often grumble. But after all said and done, everyone toes the same ‘condemned path’ and at the end of the day, it is business as usual. All along, however, it was clear to all that change would someday catch up with this self-styled approach to leadership and common sense would prevail, even if it would mean by way of revolution, but except something better and reasonable gives way.
But then, the much-touted revolution cannot be an all-comers affair. Factors like credibility, track record, antecedents, integrity and other related virtues will certainly play a role, but not the licentious championing the war against a system perceived to be defective. This is where the recent disposition of Dr. Banire appears curious. And like the maxim of equity above indicated, “When seeking an equitable relief, the one that has been wronged has the stronger hand,” Banire does not have the moral standing to drive the cause he is leading, because he has not been wronged in any way and cannot request to be extended an upper hand. His claims are defective in all the identified boxes. Banire was not just a nominal member of the party or non-designate government official, he was a very active one – in fact, a kitchen cabinet member of the Lagos ruling cabal by all standards and helped to orchestrate whatever wrongs of those years – covering two distinct administrations.
With a larger than life image as a commissioner, who traversed three different ministries in Lagos State – special duties, transport and environment – he literally dominated the space even in Mushin, which parades many political juggernauts. Coming from this background, has he done any restitution? So, what is the problem about? That he lost out in the power tussle and because for the first time in many years, he didn’t get what he wanted, he would rather the roof was brought down? Sincerely, it was laughable to read Banire react to his recent legal suit, which challenged the manner in which the local government primaries were handled in Lagos and in the course of that, he spoke about advising someone on the need to have a second address in politics. Please, for the record, what was Banire’s second address when he was in government? Was he even allowed to have a second address in the first place by requisite law and regulations?
Banire cannot grandstand on the political space of Lagos with the intent of bringing an entire political system to ridicule or disrepute simply because he failed to get what he wanted. That is not morality but double standards. For 12 years, he rode on the back of this same system and leadership but never saw anything wrong with it. Today, the system is evil because he would not have his way? For coming out this openly and incautiously to ‘fight for the masses’ and without as much having a rethink about how he got here, Banire carries with him greater moral burden than the people he seeks to castigate. Enough of this convenient and isolated honesty. He should be disposed to a fact-based debate on how he got to where he is today and let’s see who goes back home all bruised. He’s been leading a debate he cannot sustain, either by virtue of the inherent facts or the understanding of the implications that come with the tenor of the issues. |

•Adekumbi writes in from Lagos