With Adetunji Ayobrown
Nothing can substitute for gathering concrete knowledge and never trust the version that people give of themselves, it is utterly unreliable, so I was told by my parents, an example of which manifested from the spokesperson of Nigerian president. I used to think that a spokesperson of any leader should be someone with vast knowledge, wisdom and understanding, but like many I was totally disappointed from his analysis and comparison, truly failure of imagination on my part, I never believed someone in this class can Shehu be like this when it comes to verbal mismanagement.
Comparisons between peace and pieces should not be a lesson for someone who occupies a position like that of Garba Shehu and if that would be done and a necessity, then he ought to have been sent back to the kindergarten where such will be put in ABCD class.
When President Muhammadu Buhari was made the Grand Patron of Miyetti Allah little did we know or aware that some of his aides and spokesmen too were also given different titles of sought. Because if this is not so, how can a mouthpiece of any serious leader turned him/herself into something readily available to defend the un-defendable… an appropriate nomenclature for this many are yet to phantom, an only episode of the stone age is happening in this century and it is our today’s dosage in our polity as we have been served, what a calamity.
Miyetti Allah, an organisation that the Global Terrorist Index has described as the world’s fourth deadly terrorist organisation, but been celebrated by our own president and some of his aides, and if not for that we are in a state of lawlessness, some are surprised why the spokesperson (Shehu) was talking like someone under the influence of hard substance.
As it is and known world over, Afenifere and Ohanaeze could only be compared to Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, the umbrella group in the Northern people many viewed, reacted and are of the opinion that Shehu committed a grave sin by such comparison between peace and pieces.
As if he knew something others did not Shehu’s comparison of Miyetti Allah with Afenifere and Ohaneze socio-cultural groups is not only disrespectful but also insulting, most especially as it is coming from a spokesman of a president.
Miyetti Allah deserves respect, Shehu, presidential spokesman said the presidency is pleased that Afenifere and Ohaneze Ndigbo groups found its statement worthy of attention…yes, but of which kind of consideration he did not explain himself.
The only thing that is constant which human contact cannot facilitate is thought, speaking when he featured on a programme on Channels Television, Shehu ignorantly likened the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to Ohanaeze and Afenifere, but specifically left Arewa Consultative Forum, said lot about his person and that of his principal.
Little wonder, when Afenifere said that “it is the affliction that has seen him (President Muhammadu Buhari) functioning as a Miiyetti Allah godfather at a time he should be President.
A President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any other for that matter should go beyond tribalism, sectionalism and since it is cleared that his principal is afflicted by conflict of interests as many are calling on him to make a choice between the two.
Ohaneze and Afenifere represent peace and as we had all seen and know Miyetti Allah represents pieces, comparing the religion of peace with terrorism or Boko Haram is totally not it, Shehu should stop deceiving the public with wrong information. A group that encourages, supports, clap for and prod killers and terrorists could be compared with Ohaneze Ndigbo or Afenifere, an apology from Shehu is a must to these groups for his unprecedented verbal mismanagement.
Shehu added that dialogue remains an important tool under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, but many wondered why his so-called dialogue remained un-dialogue as seen since all this while. If you had treated a dog in this way, you would have had your deserts from his sharp teeth.
Going by his statement, he also said criminals cut across all divides and not restricted to just one ethnic group, but the one with president as its Grand patron can do whatever they like, after all animals are equal, but some are more equal than the others. It is truly known that men of great abilities are slow to act for it is easier to avoid occasions for committing themselves than to come well out of any commitment.
Afenifere and Ohaneze are socio-cultural organisation with vested interest in growth and well-being of all Nigerians irrespective of where they are or where they are from. Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet. When you meet a swordsman, draw you sword, Garba Shehu needs some tutoring. He said “the point both socio-cultural groups missed, however, by insisting that government should not talk to Miyetti Allah is the need to address and engage Nigeria’s ethnic, religious, cultural and economic plurality. The need to engage all groups of Nigeria is as much relevant today as it was then. So also he forgot, or yet to add that even Boko Haram too that had been maiming and killing most especially the innocent Nigerians too can be likened to one of the groups, what a shame!
Unlike Miyetti Allah, Afenifere and Ohaneze had never for once kill any Nigerian or non-Nigerian in the name of any of their agitations. Swallow the impulse to offend, even if the other person seems weak. The satisfaction is meagre compared to the danger that someday he or she will be in a position to hurt you, Garba Shehu needs to remember this. His greatest mistake of all, he relied on inexact indicators, gauges and dented measurements, what a pity.
Many serious thinkers has been produce in the prisons, where they have nothing else to do but think, but when some people are in the palace which they sometimes don’t deserve, and with all enjoyment with merrymaking they are quick to forget the son of whom they are, most of them run their mouth unnecessarily and unhindered.
Afenifere and Ohaneze are regional bodies, promoting the unity of their regions, so also ACF to northerners, as we also have the middle belt forum in the north-central and PANDEF for the south-south. Afenifere or Ohaneze can never be put on same pedestal with Miyetti Allah.
Learn to tell the lions from the lambs or pay the price; it is rather safer to avoid unnecessary conflicts than to emerge victorious from them. Because one conflict obligation may lead to a greater one and in the end comes very near to the brink of disaster, that kind of statement is not only inciting but also provocative and can be retrogressive even his principal and the entire nation at large.
He should never forget that wrongs are often forgiven, but contempt is never with many known and unknown nefarious and despicable activities of Miyetti Allah, posterity and humanity will judge even if their grand patron spent another term in office, though, many said god forbids. Miyetti Allah had killed hundred throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria with any recourse from his principal and his government. In pecuniary and natural value, the cost of any biggest cow can never be compared with any human’s life Shehu needs not be reminded of this. He despises the weak and yield to the strong, it is glaring that he knows whom he may bully and whom he may flatter, a twitter reacted. *Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via aayobrown@gmail.com
