Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's Fate under Buhari's Watch - by Ademu John

In his famous critique of Kwameh Nkrumah's leadership style, Ali Mazrui described Nkrumah's shapeshifting nature as one who democratically begun and ended in despotism by appropriating and amassing powers of the state to himself and implementing obnoxious laws and policies, especially against figures perceived as threat.

In what seemed as Nkrumah's metamorphosis, Buhari deceptively rode on to the throne rooms through the vehicle and gains of democracy and in no time unveiled his autocratic tenets. 

The word 'deception' may be clipped or replaced with another that best characterizes Buhari's chequered figure. In any case, he has never hidden his true tendencies. The facts were in existence; his actions portrayed a dictator with no or little regards to rule of law and due process and in the search for progressive leadership, Nigerians went blindfolded and voted massively for 'change'.

As expected, the change ought to transform our socio-economic sectors and essentially build on and consolidate the little gains of democracy attained, especially with regards to rule of law and due process. Experienced is what few minds have anticipated- despotism.

Exhibiting this undemocratic idiosyncrasy, Sambo Dasuki, National Security Adviser to Ex- president Goodluck Jonathan, who was arrested by the State Security Service was denied bail even after four different courts granted bails on separate occasions. 

In same disregard to rule of law, Omoyele Sowore, Nigerian activist, who was granted bail by a High Court in Abuja, in 2019 after apprehended and charged for treason against the Nigerian government, was denied freedom by the Department of State Security on the flimsy account of haven't received Court's decision. On a subsequent bail and freedom granted, DSS immediately stormed the court and re-arrested Sowore until he was finally released almost end of 2019.

In what appeared to be an equal treatment, Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the proscribed guild, Shiite Movement in Nigeria has been held in detention since 2015 even after court ordered his release.

The forgoing trajectory underlines and leaves a cue on what will befall the Biafran leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu having being arrested and released in 2017 jumped bail following a coordinated attack on his residence by state forces, leading to death of many. In the recent development, Kanu who was renditioned under controversial circumstances have been charged with numerous cases which border on terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society.

This development has sent wildness into his followers and supporters, most opining and agitating for Nnamdi Kanu's release and the quashing of 'trumped- up' charges against the leader. Pointedly, had rule of law been elevated and democratic culture deepened in Nigeria, high hopes would have been raised for his release but Nigeria specifically under Buhari's watch, it is abnormal and deceitful to expect as this much as freeing a leader whom Buhari government adamantly and coercively released years back. 

Expectants  must be thronging from another fraction of the continent where rule of law gains preeminence and due process followed or incognizant of modus operandi of Nigeria where rule of men takes the frontiers and rule of law redundant to back seat.

Buhari government will adopt several methods however rational or ridiculous to keep Nnamdi Kanu in net till doomsday. This played out on his trial day when DSS failed to produce him in court for trial on account of trouble of locomotion. More should yet be expected as Buhari government moves to effect the continual detention of Nnamdi Kanu till hopefully when powers of the state are divested off him.

Apparently, salvation isn't in the offing for the 'saviour'. With freedom kept at bay, members, friends, families shouldn't expect his release anytime soon even with high hopes of positive Courts outcomes.