AbdulRazaq, Watch the Moon…Tonight

Wahab Oba

Every noble son of Ilorin understands the place of our revered traditional institution and will defiantly defend its sacredness. And that is why there has always been a distinct, even though cooperative, separation between the throne of Alimi and the seat of Government on Ahmadu Bello Way. The meaning of this is that when it comes to politics, Ahmadu Bello Way is the way to go, but when it comes to decisions on the traditional stool, the Emir’s Palace is the locale. No governor in Kwara state, whether from Ilorin or not, has tried to usurp the authority and sacred arrangements of the throne, successfully.

And that is why I am asking our current governor to go out and watch the moon tonight. I will explain the details later but let me illuminate why I am sad during this joyous occasion of a memorable festival in the life of any Muslim. I am sad by the decision of the governor to bar former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, from the Eid prayer ground today. Yes, bar Saraki from attending the Eid prayer alongside the Emir.

Saraki arrived in Ilorin on Tuesday, preparatory to participating in the prayers, first as a bonafide Muslim, and also very importantly, to support the Emir as his Prime Minister; the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin. By tradition, the Waziri Ngeri is the Emir’s right-hand man, meaning that in the order of sitting at any traditional event, he occupies the right-hand side immediately beside the Emir. This is a title duly conferred on him by the Emir and his council of chiefs. It is not an honourary title. It is a traditional title.

Thus, Saraki is expected to perform his role as the Waziri Ngeri at any traditional event. The Eid prayer is an event organised traditionally by the Emir, the head of all Muslims in the state. Over the years, the sitting arrangement had remained the way it is meant to be. Until today, that is. For, on Tuesday night, a report indicated that the governor had allegedly ordered a rearrangement of the order of sitting. The new arrangement would have himself, the governor, his family members and some government officials occupying spaces beside the Emir.

What for? That is a reasonable question but the answer is not farfetched: AbdulRazaq wants to eclipse Saraki from the memory of Kwarans. He has won a dubious second term in office and so Saraki is out of Ahmadu Bello Way. Not satisfied, he wants him out of the Palace, and probably out of Ilorin, for that is the implication of the ‘new order’. In doing so, he must trample upon the traditional institution; he must supplant the Emir and decide for the throne how its protocols must be arranged. To achieve his aim, he must override, for the umpteenth time, the symbol of the collective identity of all sons of Ilorin, irrespective of their political affiliation. So sad!

Dear Governor, let me remind you of Shylock, the principal antagonist in Shakespeare’s popular play, The Merchant of Venice. Shylock was consumed by envy and hatred for Antonio who was popular and well-received among the people but suddenly fell into a bad time. Shylock wanted to use the opportunity to run his enemy out of town. Read two of his statements I have extracted from the text to see for yourself, sir:

“How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him…for that, in low simplicity, he lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice. If I can catch him once upon the hip I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him…cursed be my tribe if I forgive him!”

“You’ll ask me why I rather choose to weigh carrion flesh than to receive Three thousand ducats?… I give no reason…more than a lodged hate and a certain loathing I bear Antonio (Saraki)..”

But what happened to this merchant? Since I doubt you ever read the book I humbly recommend that you find a copy to learn.

AbdulRazaq, go out and watch the moon, tonight. I said I will explain and I still will. But let me remind the governor of a few things. The Saraki family, the dynasty, has a long history of unmatched commitment not only to the throne of Ilorin but to everything represented by Islam. The silent contributions of the dynasty to Islam cuts across the state in general and Ilorin in particular, bear testimony. It was this same Bukola Saraki who led the reconfiguration of the old Ilorin Central Mosque into a globally acclaimed masterpiece today. Every day a Muslim prays in that mosque, there is an unsaid prayer for the man who made its ambience possible for the sojourner.

Every time a Muslim says his prayers at the mosque have been answered by Allah, there is a portion of blessedness going the way of the man who spearheaded the rebuilding. And so, let me ask two simple questions: how many Muslims pray daily at that mosque? How many faithful have their prayers answered from that mosque, daily? You can guess the answer and the multiplier effect on the Saraki dynasty.

The Saraki that AbdulRazaq wants to cancel from the mind of men is responsible for many of the developmental projects that his administration is building upon today. The Saraki that AbdulRazaq wants to cancel from the mind of men has a family record yet unmatched in Nigeria today. The Saraki that AbdulRazaq wants to cancel from the mind of men remains a factor in our national politics to date.

Abdulrazaq, go out and watch the moon, tonight. And now let me explain this. Your Excellency, when you go out and look into the sky, you will see the moon, shining in its God-ordained brightness. Attempt to cover its brightness, please, with your bare hands. You will see you will need to cover your own eyes instead. Any attempt to cover the glory of someone Allah has ordained will only lead to you covering your own eyes into blindness.

How do you think you can eclipse the glory of one whom Allah has decreed must shine without yourself covering your glory? You are in office today because He gives power to whom he wills, and Saraki has demonstrated submission to the divine will both in his private and public demeanour. That is the greatest source of his glory which you are now seeking to cover. When you watch the moon and attempt to cover its shining, you will realise what you have embarked upon is an impossible task; that can only lead to blindness for you.

Wahab Oba is former Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists,Lagos  and former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of kwara state.