With Adetunji Ayobrown
Before our last Friday editorial meeting, when I heard the news of the Supreme Court of Nigeria vindicating the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over his non-assets declaration, inspirations came all over me overwhelmingly and continued, forcing me to immediately start to write something about it, though, I didn’t have any material good enough for my column, out of the many I have lined up but not ready for our Monday’s publication.
After the meeting, I went to couple of places, however, as I stepped into Shoprite Shopping Mall, in Fate Area of Ilorin, the passion and zeal to start writing came to me like a bolt and became irresistible… so I manage to jot something down since feelings like this were rare and do come just but once in awhile. So, when I got that strong feelings, and the very first thing I remembered was… I was here (Shoprite) last with a godfather, a gentleman, someone many describe as god’s sent, submissive servant of his boss any day and anytime, I cherished someone like you sir…may your soul rest in peace.
To be candid and some friends knew this, I don’t like Bukola Saraki that much, because of many reasons…. some obvious, some he doesn’t know himself, but how I wished someone very close to Saraki is alive today, I can imagined how he will feel to listen to this news, when his boss, whom he fought for and supported with all he had is set free by the highest Nigeria Court against the Federal Government that first accused him of what we all are culpable; I missed him so much…but life goes on.
I was with this man on several occasions, when this CCT vs Saraki court case that started some three years ago, indeed, I got to know some of his worries about his boss over the CCT case and a couple of other plans, when he shared it with us and his many more other efforts and activities. So, I took him as a father, confidant and a mentor. Because of his love for his boss, we consulted, we prayed and fasted; many people can testify to this in Kwara state and beyond…, and today, it gladdens my heart that Bukola Saraki has been vindicated, Dapo Idowu, your prayer has been answered, rest in peace…I missed you.
I, there and then totally surrendered myself to the trance that came, though I was last seen in this mall with this man, just was the beginning.
And next, the very first thoughts that ran through me like a flash, is to imagine if I were Bukola’s father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, I would have said, ‘Buky, remember today for it is the beginning of always’. And behold, as I opened my twitter handle to check, the very first twit I saw on @bukolasaraki handle is ‘At the end of a tortuous journey of 1018 Days counting from September 22, 2015 when the case began at the Tribunal, I am happy that I have been vindicated. The Supreme Court has affirmed that there is no evidence of false declaration of assets… written by Bukola Saraki, then agreed with myself that this is more than ordinary.
Bukola Saraki has been at logger head with President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political camps over his emergence as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and since then it has been from one court case to the other. As a matter of fact, most Nigerians believe these court cases were politically motivated and instituted just to destabilise the senate leadership and the entire National Assembly. But trust and give it to Saraki’s camp, his loyalists and like minds, it has been turbulent, sort of wrestling matches, from one case to the other and many spurious allegations, making our political space active and if you ask me, it was interesting, but not funny.
Nigeria polity has been beclouded with thick smoke of uncertainties in hatred, revenge and angers, just to name a few. Even to the extent that most, if not all his friends prior 2015 are now nothing but pure enemies, while some ended up becoming linked to different political groups as pro-Buhari, anti-Buhari among others.
If not in Nigeria, how do you describe or explain a case where the number three citizen is in court over alleged false-assets declaration while the accused was a major financier of the campaign that brought in the first citizen….if you ask me, something will definitely ruin someone’s life if care is not taken, it’s just what finds us first….never bite the finger that fed you, so said my teacher.
To analyse and answer some of the reactions to the tweet as if I were your father, Dr. Olusola, I would have answer the likes of Ogundele Peter Olakunle who wrote “…..keep on making life unbearable for us through your ways…… but you will surely account for all this at the end…we are waiting to hear about Offa robbery oooo”. To me, Ogundele refused to agree with the fact that even in hatred, Bukola has the right to fair hearing, which later played out in this case as decided by the apex court. Bukky should know that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, survival is but for the fittest.
Danladi Amidu said ‘How can someone that used stolen fund to campaign, file a politically motivated case against his fellow politician in the name of false assets declaration? This is evil and inhuman as seen by most Nigerians.
As for Chinyere Ezeife who said: Please do not sleep off, they are still planning against you, be on the red alert, watch your back every now and then, hold a long spoon, so that whenever attempt was made to catch you, they will end up holding the spoon while you remain safe unhurt. By the grace of God, they will be on their knees to apologize’ speak minds of major Nigerians who predicted at the beginning of this persecution as it later turned out. Chinyere said it as it is and it is nothing but the truth. Take note.
James J Kolo wrote ‘Congratulations but your egocentric posture against the party directive is responsible for the so called wasted three years….your budget padding and delays, your attack on the government using the advantage of the institution to avail your personal issues are the problems you caused….Why are bills submitted not passed to curb corruption under your selfish leadership?#
James and some Nigerians believed that delay budgets and padding budgets is responsible for the sufferings. Can we look at the contributions of the ministers and heads of ministries, departments and parastatals to the delay? Remember when they were asked to come and defend their budgets, what was their reaction? These are questions those accusing the National Assembly of delayed budget should answer. However, James Kolo and his likes can as well approach a competent court of jurisdiction to resolve the alleged budget padding and delays if he so wished. But remember that over 500 national assembly members are men and women of high integrity even if some refused to see them as such… I believe voters in each of their various constituencies cannot all be wrong. As for Bukky, from now onwards your actions should be towards clearing your name and prove that you are a progressive Nigerian. If President Muhammadu Buhari chooses to waste three years chasing shadows, he should not blame anyone but himself…instead, he should have allowed all tiers of government to operate independently…you can still work with him despite all that had transpired…but never lose the lesson.
Engr Henry Nwadocheli Alexander Aghedo, wrote ‘hope this is not true? Because, I knew you all already sentenced this man to life imprisonment on social media. I congratulate the SP, it is not easy to fight a course and get justice. This is a victory for all. As engineer agreed with you from the very beginning I will say it is just as simple as we all saw it.
Sabiu Rabo Dahiru, Congratulations sir. I doubt it much whether you are the only one that didn’t declare an asset before you contest an election. This episode has finally come to an end; we hope to see a brand new film.
Let us say it as it is, Saraki gave more than just financial help towards the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari before the 2015 presidential election, all the scriptures says ‘never pay good with evil’, both Holy Quran and Holy Bible said so.
I want just a Nigerian that will challenge this, that Saraki was not helpful to a noticeable amount when the former President Goodluck Jonathan was in power prior the 2015 general elections.
In rhyme with former president of the United States of America, J.F. Kenedy, the persecuted Nigerian politicians like the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Dino Melaye, should not seek to fix the blame for the past, let us all accept the responsibility for the future of our dear country, Nigeria… and of course, If you lose the ball, don’t lose the lesson.
Like many of your friends, closed watchers, President Buhari like many Nigerians, will like to see a better Bukola that didn’t lose the lesson, even when he lost the ball…that is Nigerian politics playing out.
My teacher will always say, don’t blame anyone that never like you, they are not just in-tuned with your gifts and talents, life differs and so is man.
Nigeria go survive oo!
Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via [email protected]
