By Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja
According to the Oxford Dictionary, the British idiom, “gloves are off” is “used to convey that something will be done in an uncompromising or ruthless way.”
It’s origin comes from the game of boxing.
Due to the dangerous nature of the game of boxing, which initially started as bare-knuckle fighting which often resulted in the death of participants, boxing gloves were invented to cushion the impact of punches by participants!!!
So the expression: “the gloves are off” implies that a participant in any game of boxing has abandoned the use of boxing gloves with the intention of beating the opponent to death!!!
It appears that for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT), the gloves are off!!!
The evidence lies in the recent extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, by PBAT.
Unlike the extension of the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) which was achieved by an amendment of the relevant legislation which was submitted to the National Assembly by PBAT.
At least in that instance, the National Assembly pretended to follow the law-making process (even though they skipped the public hearing aspect of law-making) and used their favourite methods of voice votes!!!
This time around PBAT did not make any pretence to adhere to any rule of law.
He just made an order to that effect followed by the issuance of a public statement which was announced on 31st March 2025 by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
It appears that the Declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State by PBAT on 18th March 2025 was used as a litmus test to gauge the reaction of the members of the Nigerian public!!!
Since there were no mass protests by the members of the Nigerian public when both the National Assembly and PBAT violated provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 in their enactment of the law relating to the Declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Both PBAT and the National Assembly are emboldened to commit more similar blatant acts of non-compliance with both the Nigerian Constitution and other relevant laws!!!
It is a very integral part of human nature, that even the holy book acknowledges when it says:
“Because sentence against a bad deed has not been executed speedily, the heart of men becomes emboldened to do bad.”- Ecclesiastes 8:11.
As former first lady, Patience Goodluck Jonathan will say: “Continue, there is God ohh”
