With Ayobrown Adetunji
It’s a truism that ‘a man will seek the company likely to give him his
feelings’; and this is another life lesson I have just learnt. When I
wrote ‘Who is the next Senate President’, one of my numerous readers,
a professor of high repute said ‘when a man is desperate for
relevance, he wouldn’t know when to stop’. And like I forecasted in
the write up, he who knows something doubts nothing, and behold, the
weak inflict more harm than the wicked person does. Buhari had indeed
played major role in the election of the new leadership for the ninth
National Assembly, as it was also desired by some others which was
also echoed by one of them, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
‘How to appear sane among lunatics’, is a book title I was searching
for when I suddenly came across some reactions on the trending story
of Senator Omo-agege kneeling down to greet his benefactor, President
Muhammad Buhari just after the Delta-born senator was selected and
became the Deputy Senate President. What tide of politics had made him
weak is the very question among his kinsmen. Truly, being subservient
is a choice, especially for a man desperate for relevance.
Funny and surprising enough and in show of appreciation, photos of the
new Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo-Agege, kneeling to greet
President Muhammadu Buhari during the visit of the newly elected
leaders of the ninth National Assembly to Aso Rock set the social
media on fire with many condemnations. Events that led to the
emergence of the ninth Assembly, Omo-Agege’s new style raised genuine
concerns that this new NASS leadership is going to be a mere rubber
stamp of the executive.
Many who found it absurd that a man in his late 50s would kneel before
another in an official environment left many mouths agape. OMG! Things
men do for power, Omo-Agege’s action gave me the complete picture of
what people would do to get power, what power does to people, as well
as how power works. A man may be as humble as possible in his
demeanour, as nobody surpasses Plutarch in writing subtle psychology
and witty quotes so is Omo-Agege, who has dazed and surpassed his
contemporaries even before him, or what do you also think of a
mace-snatching senator, as pointed out in a tweet.
Though, some argued in his defence and made reference to culture and
tradition. They saw nothing wrong in Omo-Agege’s action, they believe
that as Africans, we should preserve our customs. But exaggerated and
pretentious sign of respect that made him genuflect before the
president is uncalled for. How old is Omo-Agege compared to that of
President Muhammadu Buhari, it’s like father-to-son some posited. As
instinctively as he will approach the fire place or even walk in the
sun if he want to get warmth, President Buhari will any day still
prefer the likes of Omo-Agege; this is an open secret, but how far
they might go together only time will tell. I believe that he who
poses as a fool is not a fool; he has this ambition before now many
believed. But what do you expect from an alleged mace snatching
senator, a tweeter reacted. Is it not interesting that in Nigeria,
legislature is at the mercy of the executive or how else will one
describe the scenario where the Deputy Senate President kneeled down
to greet Mr President.
Bend down and apply your common sense is what my teacher taught me: if
and indeed you are fortunate to be among the uncommon few with the
common sense. But it is most unfortunate that… this common sense is
not common even among the fortunate. You should know that most foolish
people are hundred times more averse to meeting the wise than the wise
are indisposed for the company of the foolish. However, it is a real
recommendation to be stupid (dense). At different occasions, Omo-Agege
had met President Buhari without this ‘bend down for power’ style of
greeting, and this has kept many wondering. If handshake is getting
beyond the elbow, then and behold, the unfortunate is likely.
Omo-Agege was believed to be a key player in some of the major events
that characterised the 8th Senate. And he is now being compensated for
his role; the mace thief enthroned on the Senate, a friend tweeted.
Moreover, what transpired between the duo could be described as
friends with benefits relationship. Many Nigerians reacted against
this but they are without option. Omo-Agege accused his colleagues of
working against Mr Buhari, by adopting the amendment to section 25 of
the Electoral Act outlining a change in the sequence of elections, but
later suspended for it. As for me, President Buhari only rewarded not
an old enemy but a new friend from the past. Some are of the opinion
that it is better to display stupidity; it does not much good to be
wise among fools and sane among lunatics. Worries by many that if he
keeps up that kind of unpopular gesticulation, he would never be able
to muster the necessary ethical strength to fulfil his democratic duty
of enforcing tenets of checks and balances.
For just as warmth is agreeable to the body, so it does some minds
good to feel its superiority…a case of dependency instead of
independency and enslavement instead of autonomy, the European Union
(EU) Election monitoring report rightly pointed it to us all. But to
me, Mr President had indeed learnt his lessons. ‘It is rather better
to have them inside your pocket’ is his latest tactic. But I wondered
how the likes of US President, Donald Trump would react to such. No
wonder the European Union Monitors (EOM) concluded that the 2019
presidential election was marked by transparency shortcomings, leading
parties were at fault in not reining in acts of violence and
intimidation by their supporters, including abuse of incumbency. They
also said those actions and inactions affected the whole integrity of
the electoral process and may deter future participation. If there is
no independent legislature then, democracy, which is a process has
lost one of its indices and it is incomplete. I don’t know what those
things are called, but they make some smart politicians stupid or what
do you think would be Trump’s tweet?
Though, democratic leaders enjoy certain privileges, but as it is, we
are all equal subjects before the law. And striving towards equality
is a better reason that we need to do away with sycophantic cultural
practices that necessitate bowing, kneeling and prostrating before our
political leaders.
Everything is wrong with his kneeling before the president, because
the president is not a king, and because he does not rule by
monarchical authority, Omo-Agege does not need to kneel in order to
show him respect. Nigeria president’s mandate is legitimated by the
equalising principles of democratic authority. Without mincing words,
Omo-Agege’s manners are commendable.
Incendiary fact, the decimation of his action will surely reverberate
throughout this administration, no doubt. Tried they did, but many
never agreed with that action even among his kinsmen. Being
subservient is truly a choice especially for a man desperate for
relevance. Many would only best imagine what people like him can do
just to get to power, if this can be done openly. But they want him to
remind himself of the unpleasant truth; nothing last forever.
*Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes
via aayobrown@gmail.com
