“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” declared Lord Acton. Montesquieu earlier argued that “there is no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.” These foundational statements capture the delicate balance between unchecked human impulse and the structural safeguards necessary for a civilized society. They highlight the immediate and profound danger where there is no checks and balances, resulting in arbitrary rule. Let’s reflect on the devastating consequences when the rule of power decisively overrides the rule of law, leaving every individual exposed as a potential victim regardless of their social standing or immediate benefit.
Do you know that when power replaces law, the foundations of human security – namely, predictability, fairness, equity, and inherent rights – are instantly and universally demolished? In a system governed by the arbitrary will of the powerful, there is no secure distinction between the oppressed majority and the seemingly protected minority; the victim is not just the dissident or the marginalized, but also the compliant business owner whose contracts are suddenly worthless because a rival has better connections, the civil servant who fears speaking the truth, and even the high-ranking enforcer who lives in constant fear of the next unpredictable shift in the hierarchy. The essential quality of the rule of law is its impartiality, its ability to stand above individuals, providing a neutral court where disputes are settled based on codified principles, not personal influence or brute force. When this impartial mechanism fails, the resulting legal vacuum is immediately filled by profound volatility, where success is temporary, possessions are conditional, and even the smallest disagreement can escalate into an existential struggle against the state or its proxies. Ultimately, societal and economic stability collapses because the very concept of an inalienable ‘right’ is systematically replaced by a political ‘privilege’ that can be revoked at the whims and caprices of the supposed “high and mighty” making even the most outwardly privileged person a potential target in the shifting landscape of dominance.
So, enhance your capacity to recognize the subtle creeping erosion of legal norms. Cultivate the civic courage required to resist the rule of power over the rule of law, for this is the central call to action required for a free society. Know that this defence demands far more than passive complaint; it necessitates meticulous education in the principles of justice, rigorous and unwavering support for independent institutions – from the free press and civil societies to the judiciary itself – and a steadfast commitment to holding all those in authority strictly accountable to the constitutional statutes they swore to uphold. We must develop the sophisticated ability to see beyond short-term political gains or immediate policy advantages and recognize that sacrificing a core legal precedent for temporary expediency invariably weakens the entire legal framework that ultimately protects us all. Moreover, recognize that it is absolutely crucial to establish and strengthen networks of mutual accountability, insisting that the rule of law is not merely a theoretical concept, but a lived, practised reality where every citizen, regardless of their status, is equally subject to and protected by the law. By actively participating in democratic oversight, advocating for transparency in government, and speaking out against corruption and arbitrary show of power, we reinforce the societal contract that guarantees order, ensuring that power remains a temporary and accountable servant of the law, and never its master.
As you step out each day, remember that the true strength of a society lies not in the ostentatious display of its armies, the show of power by privileged politicians, or the size of its accumulated wealth, but in the quiet, dependable integrity and reliability of its shared laws. Upholding the rule of law is an ongoing, shared, and necessary responsibility – it is the only reliable bulwark against the universal tyranny of arbitrary power. Commit yourself to the vigilant defence of legal justice, for in protecting the rights of others, you irrevocably secure the conditions for your own enduring freedom and future.
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Esang Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a COREN-registed chemical engineer, public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, certified management consultant, World Safety Organization Ambassador, recognized Environmental Ambassador, marriage counsellor, youth mentor, reviewer for international research journals and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He is a manager in the oil and gas industry and was recognized by Highstone Global University, USA as the occupational health and safety personality of 2024. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
