When Personal Hatred Becomes More Important Than Justice
There is a disturbing pattern in the way many people relate to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai today. A large number of those who openly wish him harm, curse him, and celebrate every difficulty he faces have never met him, never worked with him, and were never directly affected by any of his policies. Their hatred is not born out of personal experience. It is borrowed; fed by years of negative narratives, selective stories, and political propaganda.
This kind of second-hand hatred is dangerous. It allows people to support the violation of another personโs rights without feeling any moral discomfort. When someone is denied access to medical care, when court orders are ignored, or when bail is granted on paper but made impossible in practice, many look away or even justify it simply because they have been conditioned to dislike the man. Once hatred takes root, justice becomes secondary, and the Constitution is reduced to an inconvenience.
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is not above the law. If there is credible evidence of wrongdoing, he should be tried in accordance with the law. But when the process itself becomes questionable, when basic rights are denied and legal procedures appear to be weaponised; every Nigerian should be concerned. Because the same system being used against him today can be used against anyone tomorrow, once personal or political hatred overrides due process.
A society that allows hatred to determine how justice is applied is walking on dangerous ground. When people begin to support the trampling of another personโs rights simply because they dislike him, they weaken the very protections that apply to everyone. The Constitution was not written to protect only those we like. It exists to protect everyone, especially when emotions are high and public opinion is divided.
We must learn to separate personal feelings from the principles of justice. You do not have to like Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. But you must be willing to defend the rule of law, even when it applies to someone you dislike. Because the day we allow hatred to replace justice, no one will be safe.
The Movement is Rising.
Justice Must Remain Above Hatred.
