Editorial
Lessons From Brexit
When the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mr David Cameron said that Nigeria was
fantastically corrupt, nobody imagined that he would be leaving office before his term owing to his being fantastically committed to the time-honoured ideals of democracy.
After years of speculations, the United Kingdom actually entered a referendum for her people to decide whether or not to remain in the European Union, EU that had become a major economic and political bloc in the world. The June 23, 2016 Referendum voted the British to exit (Brexit) the European Union.
Because the outcome was against the stand of the Prime Minister, he honourably decided to resign and leave office in October. Thereafter, quite a lot of things have happened in quick successions; The stock market reacted, the rest of Europe reacted and the world is watching as the last has not been heard of this historic decision.
Outside Europe, nations, institutions and individuals are still looking around to see how Brexit might affect their interests. Indeed, some countries under the European Union have started wondering if they would not also allow their citizens to vote as the Britain did. This is more so because events across the world have revealed that whether one stays or exits the union, the realities are dire.
For us in Nigeria, it will pay us more if we will take a deeper look at the referendum with a view to drawing a lesson or two, especially, as it concerns the culture and tradition of politics. Indeed, Britain has through this referendum proven that it has men of honour in politics and the capacity to involve the people in governance.
Of course, Eurocentrism is a much recent fantasy compared to the deep seated issues that daily test the peace of Nigeria. Young as the issue is, the government did not assume to know all that should be done; after all, they represent the people. But they decided to involve the people.
As a matter of fact, the referendum on this seemingly simple matter is very significant because this is one issue that only the Queen of England could have decided. Besides, Britain is the Europe’s Europe that any blind participation would only be natural and perhaps commendable. But the people as the custodians of power were not forgotten.
If the referendum was not done, government and indeed the leadership of Great Britain could not have known that the idea of remaining in the European Union was not going down well with a majority of the people. Apart from the fear of job losses, the undue exposure of Britain to all comers raises a security flag.
The decision of the Prime Minister to step aside was most honourable and commendable. Like some others who would resign over mere suspicion or scandal, Cameron has shown class. In Nigeria, public office holders feel no shame nor do the people reject such obviously undeserving persons in leadership.
While we may have to single out President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Sunday Oliseh who walked away from plum jobs based on principle, the failure of morality in governance will remain an albatross of the country. Right now, some office holders are not ashamed as they seek all tricks in the book to cover questions on their qualifications and stolen funds among others.
But more instructive is the deliberate involvement of the people in government. Indeed, the claim to being a democracy is losing veracity by the day. The definition of democracy has been of the people, by the people and for the people. In Nigeria, it is more of, ‘by the political party, for the elite and of the ethnic majority.’
In every democracy, the people have the right to choose their leaders through election and adopt policies and programmes by referendum. In Nigeria, there are so many issues that should have been subjected to referendum if people are actually the owners of the country. But successive governments only assume office and become the lords and masters of the slaves.
Following years of grudges and failed expectations, Nigeria was forced to convoke a National Conference. Sadly, the selection of persons to participate at all the two conferences were questionable as the ethnic groups who should be discussing on the terms of coexistence are swallowed up. Also faulty was the issue of no-go areas.
It is sad that the outcome of these limited conferences that attempted to address some issues that could have taken Nigeria to another level has been thrown away. The decision of the people is thrown away and people are wondering why things are not working for the country. Thrown away when nations are asking their people to contribute ideas.
The Tide believes that it is not too late for Nigerians to be organised to decide on how they inter-relate, manage resources, including land and choose their leaders. It is not too late.
It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.