Smart Adeyemi and the imperatives of “lakaye”
I donate this column this week to two close diasporan friends, Adebayo Adeneye Adejuwon from Canada and Hillary Okironkwo based in America who both share irresistible views.
By Adebayo Adeneye-Adejuwon
“Smart Adeyemi?”
“Who is he?”
“He is a smart dude.”
“Okay. But, is that all about this fellow.”
“He is also a Nigerian politician.”
“And a smart one to boot.”
“He is also a Senator.”
“He was a Senator.”
“It doesn’t matter….Once a Senator, always a Senator.”
“E de tun ri iyen so o.”
“He was the Senator for Kogi West Senatorial district before Senator Dino Malaye.”
“Now, I understand.”
“What do you understand?”
“That both former Senator Smart and serving Senator Dino are from the same constituency.”
“Yes…..but!”
“But what?”
“They do not belong to the same party.”
“I wonder where you get your information from.”
“Senator Smart is PDP while Senator Dino Malaye is APC.”
“Now I know you’re living in the past.”
“As a matter of fact, you are not smart.”
“At least not as smart as Smart Adeyemi.”
“Why not speak plainly.”
“Why speak in tongues.”
“Don’t tell me you are unaware that Senator Smart Adeyemi has made the smartest move?”
“And what is that?”
“Senator Smart Adeyemi has crossed over to APC.”
“And so what?”
“What do you mean and so what?”
“That shows that he is a politician without ideology.”
“Stop deceiving yourself, the politics of PDP and APC is not about ideology.”
“And this is precisely my point that both Senators Dino Malaye and Smart Adeyemi have always belonged to the same party.”
“And the name of the party is AGIP (Any Government in Power) and this party, AGIP has two branches namely PDP and APC.”
“Smart Adeyemi knows this.”
“An average Nigerian politician knows this.”
“It is only our compatriot cyber warriors who refuse to wise up to the reality that Senator Smart Adeyemi and his former PDP colleagues who crossed over before the 2015 election know what they are doing that I pity.”
“Pity bawo?”
“They deserve no pity at all.”
“Why?”
“They are as hypocritical and duplicitous as their heroes and heroines in PDP and APC.”
“They praised Saraki and nPDP to win the 2015 election and Saraki remained a good boy until omo Baba Oloye led the Senate Coup against their Ogas.”
“They even joined their masters in the chorus of ‘omo o le jo baba ka ma binu omo’ in Ilorin.”
“Did they not know Saraki antecedents at that time?”
“It is called selective integrity.”
“And so, what has changed?”
“The right question, in my view, should be: Why did it take Smart Adeyemi so long to move from one section of the AGIP mansion to the other?”
“Is that what you have to say?”
“I have a lot to say…..but.”
“Just wait until my Senator from Ogun East is crowned a progressive!”
“Eeeeeewoooooooooooooooooooo.”
“I am not surprised that you are not smart.”
“But what about Saraki and Panama?”
“Panama?”
“Yes, Panama?”
“Wait until Panama becomes Pa enu e mo in Nigeria.”
“Aagbeeedoooooooo. …..ka ma ri.”
“You remind me of how my grandmother of blessed memory described educated illiterate. ……..won k’awe sugbon won ne l’akaye.”
“I hope you are not one of them”
……Opportunity lost?
Hillary Okoronkwo
It is very predictable that President Buhari has no inkling about what political practice is. From either ignorance or incompetence, he does not understand the practical leadership dosage required to nurse Nigeria back to reality.
This assessment is not influenced by the darkness from the lack of electricity or the long depressing fuel queue in Nigeria. Also, the fact that Bola Tinubu berated petroleum minister Buhari and his junior colleague Kachikwu did not in any way influence this conclusion.
Despite being in power for only 10 of the approved 48 months by Nigerians, with 38 months left, this conclusion is not perfunctory.
The conclusion is based in part on mostly what Buhari has NOT done since he was sworn in. It is also based on some of the milquetoast moves he had attempted in addition to what looks like a scornful body language.
It is not necessary to go into any grisly details to prove my position. Nigeria and Nigerians are in worse shape today compared to pre Buhari times. However, if you are connected to the APC propaganda hot line, you are convinced that today’s problems are STILL and it appears will remain all of former President Jonathan’s fault for a long time to come.
There are very few ordinary Nigerians like my humble self who are more invested in this presidency. The fact that we waited for 16 long and agonizing years for this twaddle makes it more dispiriting.
In the previous presidential election cycle, my friend Yinka Odumakin was Buhari’s campaign spokesperson. I spoke to Yinka at least once a week. I had front row seat or view of information that any wonted Nigerian could possibly have.
I was encouraged and gingered on by Buhari’s perceived simplicity and relatively frugal lifestyle. As it turns out, those qualities may be required but they are not necessary characteristics.
Buhari had been former everything in Nigeria. He had been Governor of Borno State, Minister of petroleum, Head of State, Chief of Army Staff, etc, etc.
When he led the coterie that removed Shehu Shagari and his filthy NPN operatives from power, his government introduced austerity measures and the war against indiscipline (WAI).
Nigerians had just started imbibing the spirit of orderliness when Buhari was easily shoved out by the man who institutionalized corruption in Nigeria, Alhaji Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. After Babangida, some Nigerians felt that we may perhaps have fared better under Buhari.
When Yinka worked for Buhari, we never discussed any potential personal gains or benefits that could come with a Buhari victory. I was simply excited for the prospect of a better Nigeria.
In all of my estimations and permutations, Jonathan was unfit to be President. I wrote a widely publicized essay on why of all the people running at the time including Nuhu Ribadu, Buhari was the best option.
My titillation also went further than most people. I actually explored the privilege through Yinka on how to chip in a few bucks to the Buhari campaign.
Yinka did not get back to me on that pursuit and he never offered any explanation either. I concluded that it was probably too small or not necessary in the grand scheme of big things. However, I do deserve some credit for attempting to put my small money where my mouth was.
The sad reality of the moment is that Buhari is extremely comfortable being unproductive because he knows we don’t give a dam. The other institutions, judiciary and legislature are busy hustling for personal gains and survival. Things have really fallen apart.
There are just as many sycophants and sinecurists as there are aspiring replacements. Nigerians are busy attacking and destroying each other and Buhari is aimlessly trotting the globe. I must give Buhari credit for discovering 5 great Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in America in his recent trip. I never knew such people existed.
Most of the northern elites who were abusing Jonathan have curiously gone quiet. The few spineless southerners who found their voices regretting their support for Jonathan are suddenly asking for more time for Buhari to deliver.
If I knew that Buhari will deliver the elusive dividends of democracy in a van, I will be tempted to join the choir singing for more time.
Because I know that any lasting improvements in the lives of Nigeria will be delivered from carefully planned and thoughtfully executed policies that are not within sight, it is absolute foolhardy and unrealistic to expect anything from this Buhari government.
If you don’t believe me, grab any of Fela’s music and reconfirm the prophecy of today’s troubling hopelessness. If you pay close attention, Fela will tell you that Nigerians are disinclined cowards.
We are perpetual hopeless dreamers. “One day, e go better”.
In the meantime, I have just one request from President Buhari. Please refrain from pronouncing agriculture and legislature in your public speeches. You traumatize me every time you utter those words.
