“They resented and detested the voice of dissent or opposition so much so that they were prepared to go to anylength to harass and stifle it”… Obafemi Awolowo on why the 2nd republicfailed.
Permit me to use this medium to call on the Executive Governor Of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), the Olunlaof Egbaland, Otunba of all Otunbas, The Emperor of Ogun State to pleaseignore the call of sense, legality and democracy to vacate hisOke-Mosan, Abeokuta office come May 28, 2011, as we the people of OgunState wants him to continue ruling us beyond 2011.
We are happy with our pothole-ridden roads occasioned by inferior materials used byyour beloved OGROMA, our doctors and nurses going on incessant strikesand our taps overflowing with emptiness. We want you to continue tobless us with tales of your famed shrines, forced oath swearing bypoliticians and top government official to you, our indefatigableEmperor and your sagacious fight against the so-called “AbujaPoliticians”, especially some people who felt they could commission abridge in your backyard without paying homage to thee. The Olokola FreeTrade Bush is filling our State’s coffers with so much coins since youhave been operating it since 2003 with thy mouth, that we will easilyrepay an loan, bond or bondage within a couple of months. Even the blindcan see planes taking off at your ultra-modern cargo airport, the deafcan hear the thundering of the feet of investors rushing towards us andthe dumb shouts sincere praises of your financial prudence of using overyears leave bonus of civil servants, un-remitted pension contributionsand local government allocations for building un-used stadiums,junketing to China at the drop of a hat and building other castles inthe air.
You have been touted severally as the ‘Awo of our time” and I totally agree. The late Obafemi Awolowo, a man even in deathreferred to as the Yoruba Leader, was symptomatic of his generationwhich dreamt big for Nigeria. You, our own Otunba, is thepersonification and embodiment of the hopes and yearnings of yourgeneration: to be the first to the proverbial national cake and eateverything, leaving crumbs for thy cronies and lackeys. You have beendoing fantastically well in this department and we will love for you tocontinue in this manner beyond 2011, not minding your EFCC detractorstrying to catch you with local government funds and the State’s IRSmoney. Who has ever caught the wind despite it carry away houses,villages and sacking whole towns?
Olunla, Olunla: Please continue to emasculate the legislative arm of government and combating otheropposing voices, both within and without your government and party.Obafemi Awolowo did not live in the 21st century, so he did not knowwhat he was saying in the opening quotation to this piece. What if youquash the legislature and actively participated in the anti-democraticsuspension of 15 by 9? What if your wife, Yeye Empress, went to a localgovernment chairman’s house with thugs and intended to be him silly? Areyou not the Emperor, the law itself? Your very word is law. You areabove the law. Let Egbetokun, Remmy Hazzan and Oladunjoye shoutthemselves hoarse that there is fire on the mountain. This our famedstate of fearless geniuses is actually peopled by docile fools who darenot hearken to the voice of these erudite and courageous young men, butwould rather worship their belly and by extension you for pecuniaryadvantages. When the military strikes, the only arm of democraticgovernment that gets proscribed is the legislature, as it is the outercore of democracy (the inner core being free and fair elections). Sinceyou are our Emperor, now and forever, and no one will rule Ogun Stateafter thee, you are free to do away with anyone. Who dares question yourmotive?
Do not listen to your enemies dressed in friendship garb that purchased the Senatorial Election form (that is sold by the Statechapter and not the National Headquarters) for you. What kind ofpromotion is settling for a third of your present Empire? Tell them togo and get the Governorship form for you! After all, the Yoruba adagesays “What the child wants to eat will not cause him/her stomachache”.You are the Awo of our time. You should be allowed to rule forever. Wedon’t respect laws in our land anymore, our actions (and inactions) areantithetical to logic and we practice hire-purchasetocracy. Therefore common sense, rule of law and tenets of democracy be damned: OUR EMPEROR MUST RULE US FOR LIFE!
Let me implore thee, sire, not to listen to any advice or reasoning fromanyone, especially those close to you and in your cabinet. If anyonetries, give him the Niran Malaolu or Kayode Samuel treatment. If heleaves the government and continues to irritate you, give him the Hon.Oladunjoye or ‘Dimeji Bankole or Jubril Martins-Kuye or Sarafa Isholatreatment. If he is not in your party, give him the Dipo Dina treatment.Others will learn from his downfall.
Some final words of wisdom for your Eminence: He who lives in a glass house (political party) doesnot throw stone because the day the stepmother beats the heir, monkey gogo market, he no go fit return.
A final prayer for my people: In this age of bonds, may we not fall into bondage.
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