In what appears like a volte face, President Muhammadu Buhari said at the weekend that his administration would always uphold the sanctity of the rule of law in running the affairs of the country. He also said unity and harmony in every society could only be preserved by observing the rule of law.

This is coming barely five days after he told members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that the rule of law must be subordinate to the nation’s security and national interest.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke during a bilateral meeting he had with visiting German Chancellor, Angel Merkel, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari had also told the lawyers that where national security and public interest were being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take the back burner.

But Shehu quoted him as telling Merkel that he would respect the rule of law and that all agreements would be fully respected.

Shehu said, “In his remarks during a bilateral meeting, the President said unity and harmony in every society can only be preserved by observing the rule of law, and ensuring that agreements reached in good faith are followed through to the mutual benefit of countries.”

“President Buhari told Chancellor Merkel and members of her delegation that the rule of law embodies all the rightful mechanisms for conflict resolution, both within the country, and in dealing with all foreign partners, assuring that his administration remains focused on delivering a peaceful, economically viable and politically stable polity to all Nigerians.”

He also quoted Buhari as saying that Nigeria remains grateful to the German government for the fair treatment of migrants.

The President said Nigeria looked forward to improving its trade figures with Germany, which had taken a strong interest in investing in the country and supporting the government in providing effective services in security, education, and creation of jobs.

Buhari’s remarks on the rule of law drew the ire of many who say it was the dawn of dictatorship in the country.

Worried by President Buhari’s remarks, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described the comment as a playback of military rule in a democratic system.

Soyinka’s reaction came four days after the President argued that protecting the country’s national interest was more important to his government than abiding by rule of law in the country. In a statement, entitled: “Buhari’s Pernicious Doctrine,” Soyinka said: “Here we go again. At his first coming, it was ‘I intend to tamper with Freedom of the Press,’ and Buhari did proceed to suit action to the words, sending two journalists— Irabor and Thompson — to prison as a reward for their professional integrity.”

“Now, a vague, vaporous, but commodious concept dubbed ‘national interest’ is being trotted out as alibi for flouting the decisions of the Nigerian judiciary. President Buhari has obviously given deep thought to his travails under a military dictatorship, and concluded that his incarceration was also in the ‘national interest’.

“The timing is perfect, and we have cause to be thankful for the advance warning, since not all rulers actually make a declaration of intent, but simply proceed to degrade the authority of the law as part of the routine business of governance.”

“We have been there before. It should be of mere interest, not despondency, that this latest proclamation of dictatorial recidivism has also been made before an assembly of officers of the law, the NBA. We expect a robust response from the NBA as part of its conclusions.”

“There is no short-cut to democracy. The history of law, even where uncodified, is as old as humanity. Numerous rulers have tried again and again to annul that institution. Sometimes, they appear to succeed, but in the end, they pay heavy forfeit. So does society.”

“The rule of law, however, outlasts all subverters, however seemingly powerful.  If the consequences for society in defence of the rule of law were not so costly, any new attempt would be merely banal and boring, hardly deserving of attention. We know, historically, where it will all end.” Soyinka said.