Remi Sonaiya, retired professor of Foreign Languages at Obafemi Awolowo University, debuts her observations ‘Words and World’.
Immunity. Noun: 1. The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitised white blood cells. 2. Protection or exemption from something, especially an obligation or penalty.
Impunity. Noun: Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
The word “impunity” has been ringing in my ears for some time now, specifically since the day I went to collect my permanent voter’s card from the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) office on Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Road, in Ile-Ife. I was ushered into the collection room, and seeing that the lady in charge was alone, I thought it was going to be a snappy affair. But just then, another lady, equally an employee of the office, came in, and the two began a conversation in Yoruba, which I translate below:
So, have you tried on the pair of shorts you bought yesterday?
Yes, but it felt a bit tight; maybe you’ll get me a bigger size.
Don’t worry, it usually expands as you keep wearing it.
Are you sure? I don’t want to wear it and have you refuse to take it back if it still doesn’t feel comfortable after a while.
I’m telling you that it will expand. Shebi we’re both about the same size; that’s what I use too. In fact, I’m wearing one right now. (She raises her skirt to reveal the pair of shorts.)
At that point, I break into their conversation, asking why they could not defer it until after I would have been served. The madam in charge was livid: “So, because you are standing there, somebody will not talk again? Are you God? Ah-ah, come and hear this woman o!” I could not believe my ears! I just stood there, in complete bewilderment, wondering what has become of us as a people…
There does appear to be a growing culture of impunity in the land, for cases like the one just recounted are bound to be occurring daily all over. We are building for ourselves a world in which people believe they can do exactly as they please, without fear of any kind of negative repercussion, and one is bound to wonder what has led to this strange development. For instance, I understood the decision by the Federal Road Safety Corps to impose new vehicle number plates on us at such an exorbitant cost in terms of impunity: impunity says, “I have the power, by virtue of the position I occupy, to take this action, and I need fear no repercussion. I am immune from any penalty whatsoever.”
Needless to say, this is a most dangerous kind of world for a society to construct for itself – a world without accountability, where those in positions of authority believe themselves to be immune to public opinion, which they consider as an infection or a toxin against which they have been effectively vaccinated. This is dangerous, particularly because of the trickle-down effect of such a state of affairs. I strongly believe that the citizens very often take their behavioural cues from their leaders. If they see themselves being exploited at will, if they witness criminals receiving official pardon and wrongdoers being shielded, then at every level, from the offices to the markets, such patterns of behaviour begin to evolve. This is why leaders are so important.
Nigerians would do themselves a world of good if they begin to demand accountability from their leaders. Removing the privilege of immunity from prosecution would be a step in the right direction, just as the members of the on-going National Conference have recommended. The immunity provision could have worked in a world where those in leadership recognised that they occupied their positions in trust from their people and were mindful not to betray it in any way. Unfortunately, that has not been the case with us. Now, the land is terribly polluted and is in need of cleansing. It should no longer be acceptable to us as a people, for example, that an offender would continue to sit in the National Assembly with impunity, making laws for the rest of us, merely because he – or she! – enjoys unwarranted immunity.
As we look forward to the elections next year, and even to those that are around the corner, like in Osun State, would it not be wonderful if candidates would emerge who would truly commit themselves to being held accountable for each and every action or inaction? Imagine a world where those in authority would openly submit themselves to the rule of law. Or, more incredibly, imagine a world where the President or a Governor or Minister would call a meeting for a specific time and would actually be the first to arrive at the venue! Or, should he or she be constrained to arrive late, it would be just a few minutes and apologies would be tendered. Imagine the positive trickle-down effect that would have on the nation, and how much time we would suddenly gain if we no longer have to waste hours waiting for every VIP to arrive before we can commence our meetings.
Imagine a world in which immunity and impunity in public life are no longer part of our sad experience!
