Loud Whispers with JOSEPH EDGAR
Naja’atu Mohammed’s Commendable Courage
She is not like me and certainly not like millions of Nigerians who in the face of a confrontation with her present foe, will quickly recant and even offer that one a chieftaincy title.
You even see that me sef as I am writing, I am not mentioning that person’s name. It is Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who once told me, “Edgar, do everything within your powers to avoid being carried to that place.” The one that starts with a D and ends with double S. He went further to say that the place is not a police station o.
So, I have been guided ever since. But this matter where one person has developed sudden amnesia like my elder brother El-Rufai has labelled it, is worrisome.
In a past life, statements were said and even up to the Senate and in this present re-incarnation, we are refuting instead of tendering an apology or even saying “then I was blind but now I see.” Rather, you are saying you were misquoted or that you didn’t even say it, when the video is allegedly still on YouTube.
Well, today is for Madam. I must hail her courage and boldness, a virtue she had quickly shown during the elections and beyond.
My prayer is for her to stand firm, not quiver and if anything happens, I am here with prayers and supplication. Well done ma.
Ibrahim Babangida, I am Coming
Finally, his book launch has been announced. This is a launch Nigerians have been waiting for. Even the promotional message came with the teaser that Oga will speak very openly about the June 12 debacle. Expectedly, this has generated tremendous interest amongst Nigerians.
We all know of the story of June 12 and how it has led us to where we are today as a nation. A lot has been said about it and a lot will still be said about it. Some have used it to catapult themselves to the highest office in the land. Others have used it to catapult themselves to eternal ignominy.
So when the chief architect says that he wants to say all that there is to it plus more, then we must sit up.
For me, I remain a strong fan of Oga and despite the blemish that was that misstep, I still remain enamoured by him. His story is compelling, his charisma, few will forget and the other things that he did, showed a vision that was hitherto unprecedented.
So, I reached out to my big Aunty, Lami Tumaka and indicated my interest to attend the book launch. “I want to see and speak with Oga, can you kindly assist?” Pronto, I received a signal that I may have secured an invite to this very epochal national event. Not only me o, but also with my sister Tosin Adefeko who is the producer of that podcast – I won’t mention the name.
I am so looking forward to this event and if God stands by me and Hajiya Tumaka grants me a private audience with the man fondly called IBB, the questions I will ask, Nigerians will be so proud of me.
Oya pray that it is not cane they will use to flog me out of the place, but anyways, fingers crossed because I am ready. Watch out for this space for my report when I come back. I cannot wait.
Ishaq Akintola is Spot on Egbetokun’s Retirement
In my whole 55 years of age, I never believe that me and MURIC will one day stand on the same side in a fight. This has gone to further confirm the saying that in politics, there are no permanent friends but permanent interest.
On this matter of IG Egbetokun’s tenure in the police, I stand very firmly with MURIC. MURIC, through their Oga Professor, stated that they do not support the continued stay of the Inspector General of Police in office according to a report that we have seen and read very carefully like three times.
I took my time to read the report very well, saved it on a hard disk and also printed like four copies and sent them to four different people including Dele Farotimi for safe keeping, in case I am “Sowored.”
The point that MURIC made as per the effect of the continued stay in power of the IG and its effect on morale, cohesion and the rest within the force is very valid.
Let us state the fact at this juncture, that I also agree with the authorities’ position that his extension is legal having conformed with all statutory requirements, including an amendment that has passed through the House, it still looks one kind.
It amounts to a shifting of the goal post which would inadvertently really impact negatively on institutionalisation, processes and structure of the system if we have to extend the tenure for one-man every time we find a “good” man.
I think going forward, once we find such a perfect IG like this present one and he has to retire, we set up a council of state-like structure that he will go and sit down there and be performing advisory functions instead of amending stuff each time. My two pence. Thanks.
For Nasir El Rufai, Nollywood Beckons
Egbon don yab actors o. In response to an attack from born again Bwala, he has been quoted as saying that he cannot now turn to an actor at his age to be doing chameleon things because he has suddenly found himself in government, and I believe him.
The way people, even his accusers, turn into chameleons once they are given a government position even if it is gateman by the Ministry of Defence is quite amazing.
This is why, in response to the attack, that Mallam was being verbally violent against the government because he was not part of it made him drag Nollywood into the matter.
My thoughts: Mallam, although has his own “scion scion” (scion-scion in Shomolu is a person that has one or two bolts kinda missing in the brain. Lol!), comparatively he is more principled than over 90% of our politicians and leaders.
He has over the years shown some level of consistency and principles in his public utterances and gestures to the point that he has won the admiration of others like me who have major “scion scion.”
So, in this matter, I agree with him that no matter where Mallam finds himself in this divide, he would say his mind and this is not a light position considering that his state government is on his tail with a sharp razor, looking to chop it off. A politician in his shoes will today cross carpet to the ruling party, form movement to fight for third term for Baba, become extremely close to the First Lady, and form a highlife band that will be singing at every point the president visits, just to get a soft-landing.
Mallam is doing none of these but instead speaking his mind very loudly on national issues and even joining the fight against Mr. Ribadu as reported. For this, I say Mallam is a man. Well done sir.
Rotimi Amaechi: Crocodile Tears of a Fallen Hero
When I saw this gentleman at the posh Wheatbaker Hotel staring at the breakfast table and carefully picking the food, probably with the bill in mind, I knew he would soon make the statement he made on video recently.
Life outside power is not easy, especially for a man who for all intent and purposes has been a career politician. I could be wrong but immediately he left the university, he got a job as a SA to Peter Odili, then as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and from then, it has been one elective position or appointment till date, I do not think this Baba has done any other thing but be part of a rent system that has rewarded him with so much power, fame and wealth.
But today it appears the music has stopped and he is now singing a new redemption song. That speech he gave which has drawn the ire of Matawalle to say the least is disappointing.
It was so blatantly crude and disjointed, what my former boss, Dr Chukwujama used to call “Crap.” Maim, kill and do what to retain power? Poverty has kept him in politics? What was all of that? Is it frustration? Is it joblessness? Has his wife left him? If he is looking for relevance and he can’t find it? Can’t he go and join Nollywood or even apply to coach Super eagles?
Amaechi needs to be sequestered o. He needs to be examined, I tell you. He is not taking this forceful retirement very well oo. Please, his people should watch him very closely otherwise Baba can run the length and breadth of the Third Mainland Bridge oo. Kai!
Muyiwa Ige: Diction in Death
I recently watched the podcast of this gentleman, Muyiwa Ige, the son of the late Cicero of Nigerian politics, Chief Bola Ige as he described the last minutes of his father’s life.
I must say that his diction and clarity took away from me the kernel and substance of his rendition. The way the man was speaking this same English we all speak and the mannerisms all made me not really get the import of what he was saying.
The spoken English was too good. The punctuations, the modulating voice, the aristocratic gesticulations. My people, if you closed your eyes and listened to Muyiwa in that podcast, you would think it was Prince Harry speaking. This man go school o.
See me, yeye man wey I be, the man was narrating the abysmal failure of the state to protect one of its gems and here I was looking at the English his loving son was speaking. Am I a serious person? That incident remains one of the watersheds of this nation’s failing system and the fact that till date, nobody has been brought to book despite all the glaring tell-tale signs of “whodunnit” continues to show the disgrace and shame that is embedded in our ethos as a people who have failed very woefully in running a civilised nation.
Muyiwa, please do not mind me o. That interview was excellent. I am sure it would once again bring Nigerians back to the very gruesome nature of that episode and its impact on our national psyche with the futile hope that it just may spark a national reordering.
I promise to watch it again and this time, I would try to listen very carefully to what was said and not to how it was said, or better still, could you do it again but preferably in pidgin or Yoruba? Kai.
Chief Bola Ige? They have stopped making Nigerians like that, I swear.
Adeniyi Oyemade’s Pain and Our Nation
Shebi we are still talking about the parallel system. This case just throws up another angle to it all. This gentleman after having served very meritoriously his people both as an elected officer and on appointment, retired very safely to his enclave.
He and his wife quietly went into Banana Island to build their home. A very beautiful edifice from where they planned to live very peacefully and in tune with nature.
They were wrong. The impunity that has pervaded the system has caught up with them. The luxurious enclave that is today’s Banana Island seems to have been infested with the roaches of unwarranted developments. Developments that beat common sense.
In this particular case, someone has come to build a monstrosity beside them and this “thing” has broken their fence, cracked the walls of their once peaceful abode and threatened the integrity of their own structure.
They now live in fear of a possible collapse of their retirement home. Everything they have done including getting the authorities involved and the estate association has come to naught.Their experience has been that the authorities will come in the morning to seal up the place but by evening the seal will go off and construction will continue with slabs falling off the walls of the Oyemade’s home.
Lawyers have written, court injunctions issued, estate association has cried all to no avail but Mr. Oyemade gets a police invite for all his troubles.
Now for us bystanders, we can only just cover our heads in fear, for the question is if this could be happening to a man of this stature in an enclave of this nature what hope for the common man?
When society decides to be run by the informality of purpose, what you get is impunity and rights are trampled upon with no hope for redress.
I even hear that their tormentors are buoyed by a “common” Special Adviser in the Governor’s office. Imagine.
This is beyond the Oyemades but it’s a major problem for Nigerians as we are steadily moving very close to the Hobbesian state of the brutishness of life in our society. Sad. Very sad.
Laide Agboola: The Purple Way
During the week, Governor Sanwo-Olu and Oba Elegushi joined Nigerians in welcoming the latest infrastructural wonderment in Lagos – the Purple Lekki.
Purple Lekki is an ambitious mixed-use development that has been carefully designed to create jobs, provide retail experience, impact infrastructure of the city, provide hospitality, amongst others.
The Purple Group led by the very brilliant duo of Laide and Obinna went through fire and brimstone to deliver on this vision and it is no wonder at its opening. Laide dressed like Prophet Elijah in an ensemble that would make the huge white garment prophets green with envy, strode beside the Governor like a Roman Conqueror.
Through economic disruptions occasioned by naira devaluation, import restrictions, debts, COVID and so many challenges the system could throw at them, they went through it all to deliver on this huge and manifestly beautiful edifice.
Governor Sanwo-olu could not hide his joy after touring the edifice and showed it very clearly by defeating the well-respected Oba Elegushi in a wonderful game of table soccer.
He declined to go on the skateboards and rightly so, because I would not be there if His Excellency goes on the skateboards and falls down “yakata” in front of the media and Lagosians. That one, the reparations will not be here o.
Well done Laide and team, you guys remain a huge inspiration to Nigerians. Well done guys.
