Loud Whispers  with JOSEPH EDGAR

Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia: Please Don’t

This 2Baba drama is embarrassing me o. That was how I carried his matter to Aunty Ruth Osime’s programme, Perspective, on ARISE NEWS Channel, and defended him against onslaughts from the female world. They had been accusing him of grooming, manipulating women and impregnating them the way a farmer plants corn on a fertile land.

The panel was rich. Aunty Ruth had put together a strong team – Madam Laila, a worldclass relationship expert and Blessing CEO, a very popular social media activist.

My strategy was clear – since I was overpowered, I was just shouting “ he is a victim, he is the one being manipulated.” All their arguments ended up with me screaming, he is a victim o.

After the show, all the men in the studio carried me high on their shoulders in praise for being a champion of Nigerian men. On the streets, you would think I was part of a Nigerian World Cup winning team. People were hugging me on the road, shaking my hands and thanking me for giving men a voice.

At a party later that day, one old man called me out and said “Duke, I like the things you say on ARISE TV, please come and hug me,” and I did.

Now, 2Baba has bursted my bubbles by announcing “Abeg make una help me beg her, I want marry her.”

Innocent Idibia, is something the matter with you? What’s all of these na? Even if you are a great “Sower,” e never reach to slow down? Abi are you pursuing Abiola or Fela for this matter?

You never even comot for one finish, following the “kata kata” you have been causing, you don jump enter another one, and not only enter, we are hearing rumours of “we don get belle,” thereby disrupting the peaceful co-habitation of PDP and APC members of the Edo House of Assembly.

I think the DSS should now enter this matter because if care is not taken, this man can use that his “kini” to destabilise the nation o.

Please my people, I hereby resign my membership of team 2Baba, even me don tire. The man is not on any mission, he is “konji” driven. This one is like those “beware of dog” signs people put on their gates. We should all put “beware of 2Baba” signs on our gates, offices, and public spaces to protect our women. I don tire.

Herbert Wigwe: One Year After

Now, now? That was what was in most people’s mouths as we approached the one year anniversary of the demise of the iconic Herbert Wigwe, his beautiful wife and lovely son.

In one year, a lot has happened. His Access Bank has achieved so many milestones including being amongst the very first to cross the CBN’s capital hurdle. It has also made very giant strides in the international market and its seamless leadership change following his demise has kept the boat steady.

His Wigwe University has matriculated its first set of students and for all intent and purposes, is running well.

As it is with life, there remains a dark spot. Some members of his biological family are not too happy with the way things are going. I do not want to be dragged into the matter even though I was pulled in on the back of my play in which I paid a glowing tribute to the icon and begged for professionals to be allowed to run his legacy institutions.

For my efforts, na abuses I get. Some members of his emotional family went on rampage, issued a disclaimer on social media, called me a thief and averred “dem don pay you.”

It was really sad. But it is ok. When my wife Mena died, that was how her sisters came after me the very next day. The woman hadn’t even settled down in her grave when the accusations started- you killed her, she was depressed, she suffered in your hands, come and park her car in my house, your son is no longer your son, you must not marry again.

If those ones can come and fight me, me that has only N12,000 in my account then, you can imagine what is going on in this case.

It was my great in-law, the erudite Professor Mowete, my dear Mena’s elder brother who said to me at the height of the turmoil: “Edgar, people react to grief differently. This could be my sisters’ way of reacting to their own grief. Be a father to them and just ignore and be silent.”

Of course, I did not take the advice o. Me from Shomolu, that is not how they trained us o.

But in this case, as he no concern me, I will say to all – please let’s all calm down and sheathe the swords, let’s not react to this grief in this way because it will erode the very good works of Wigwe who lived a different kind of life. Thank you.

Nnamdi Kanu – Fendi ‘fiend’ Strikes

Don’t talk when I’m talking. That was the ferocious Nnamdi Kanu in his ubiquitous designer gab screaming at his lawyers in fury

Those ones cowered and mumbled a little apology and turned to his back to kneel down and wait for further instructions.

He didn’t have their time yet as he focused his fury on the judge, the prosecution and the Nigerian state

This why I fight for Biafra, he thunders as he renders the courtroom into an avenue for the dissipation of his frustration.

Those ones, too, have not even tried. Multiple adjournments and different court orders flying around gave this self-styled freedom fighter an avenue to rant and behave badly.

The point is very simple, if the man has a case to answer, let him answer it and if he doesn’t let us move on.

This thing is too long and if we continue like this, Nnamdi will soon slap his lawyers o.

He was asking how much they paid the ‘whole SAN’, leading us to also ask how much he is paying his lawyers so that he can be talking to them like that, too.

That episode was epic in its odium, but then again, who wouldn’t if you continue to be turned in and out on a matter that is literally almost straightforward?

By the way, the way he keeps wearing that one designer suit, the brand owners will soon beg him to remove the thing – it’s too much.

Can someone please just smoothen this process so we can put an end to this sordid matter once and for all? We have a country to build. Thank you.

Olumide ‘SeaKing’ Ogunsanwo: Not Helping the Cause

I know some of us here will never have heard of this boy. But let me introduce you to him. He is a wannabe critic who has evolved a very nasty style.

He is very abusive, rude, uncouth and insultive. He uses words like “bastard,” “Oloshi,” “Oloriburuku,” “agbaya oshi,” and a whole lot of vile words on his targets.

This is highly abhorrent and must not be encouraged. I support his arrest especially as he has not shown any form of remorse. You cannot hide under free speech to verbally assault people. He is not the only one that is “vexing,” we are all here vexing but you don’t see us using those kinds of words on elders and adversaries.

That, in my book, is assault and there are laws that have been designed to curb this. If you are not lettered enough to join the cause, then don’t distract us with all this talk that is capable of making the opposition lose traction.

Please, somebody should put a tape on this boy’s mouth, we really do not need his vile and uncouth contributions. Thank you.

Atiku Abubakar, Leave Baba Alone

Although it was billed as a private meeting and Alhaji Abubakar after the meeting also said it was a private meeting but we know better.

Forces are beginning to align and realign towards 2027. Shebi Kwankwaso has gone to visit Aregbesola, El-Rufai is making some familiar noises and Wike is revving his machines, things are beginning to happen.

So, anybody who believes that this meeting between these two elders is a private meeting really should go and recheck their brain.

But my own opinion is that Atiku should allow Baba to enjoy his retirement from politics. Atiku himself should also consider retirement. He has tried and I do not think he has anything to offer again. For me, the whole thing is looking like those people that used to play “pool.” Not snooker o, those pool betting our Papas used to play. It was so addictive that they would play to their graves.

It looks like the activities around politicking is so addictive to Atiku that he now does not even know when to pull the plug and wants to infect Baba with the virus. Baba that has been inoculated.

Atiku should go and gently sit down. He should open a power house like Chattam House where people will come and be delivering papers or seeking his advice. That way, he can contribute much more value to the process instead of this one that he wants to continue contesting till he reaches 100 years.

My people, long and short of all these my talks, is for Atiku to just go and siddon jeje. Simple.

Bola Obasanjo as Mummy in the House

This is what every man must consider in taking a wife. A woman who can represent him very brilliantly at huge events. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo being bugged down by an unexpected activity sent his lovely wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo to represent him at a massive book launch in Lagos.

My brother, Dr. Austin Ebose, was launching his new book on Entrepreneurship and Leadership at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island. In attendance were such greats like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Gen Ike Nwachukwu and Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, a former Minister of Health.

Mummy took it all o. She grabbed the audience’s attention as she read her husband’s speech while interspersing it with her own words and innuendoes. The hall was in chaos as she regaled us with one innuendo after the other.

When she said: “If Mathew Aremu was here, you all would buy this book, you know what he could have done,” the hall erupted in raucous laughter.

It was a grand event and we all had fun. The musical giant Patoranking made good of himself and Dr Ebose also took the stage to show some brilliance. Dr Abati was the book reviewer and I Joseph Edgar was Chairman Planning Committee.

Akinwumi Adesina: Don’t Believe the Hype

My brother may have started believing all that talk linking him to the presidency. In an interview monitored in Lagos, it was looking like he was averring to the possibility of joining the race.

My brother, this race is not for “Ajebutter” o. This race is for “aje pako.” Our system was not designed for fine gentlemen o. I think in recent history, only Donald Duke came with your imagery to defeat the system. People like Dr. Kayode Fayemi also tried but those ones still had some grain of “agbero” in them. But you, I doubt that you can even shakara anybody. Can you even jump on top molue in motion? Have you ever heard of Shomolu? Do you know where mallams used to do suya in Ibadan or where they used to catch snails in Oron?

My brother, make we dey wear bow ties and suits all over the global conference circuits. Na there, we get power and forget about this ambition. It cannot work, it will not work. Thank you.

Kayode Fayemi: Happy Birthday Boss

Let me quickly say a happy birthday to my egbon. The last time I saw him was in his house when I went to beg for money for the ‘Fajuyi’ play.

The discussions were deep and rich and I was better for it. I left there very happy and he came for the play and I hugged him.

Happy birthday, sir and I also would like to use this opportunity to wish you a truly healthy and long life. The good thing is that Ekiti people used to live long o, so that is a given, but also very importantly, may you be allowed by “your people” to continue to contribute very meaningfully to our people. We still need you sir.