‘Kano Gov Gaduje Dollar bride saga; Between perception and reality’ – President Muhammadu Buhari
‘Let my choice be and let yours be’ – former President Olusegun Obasanjo
Whatever the content of the message, channel of transmission may make or mar it all – Ti aba ran ni nise eru, oye ki a fi t’omo je – a very popular Yoruba proverbial phrase. Failure of imagination – he did something I am not capable of imagining and truly it was a mistake.
The above two quotes were the first and second to flash through my head after I saw the press release signed by Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Command of the Nigerian Police Force…accusing this medium of partisanship, a medium he himself gave many kudos to and eulogises on several occasions. But how can this be just after the DSS invitation of same media house in the space of two weeks. ‘Aje ke lana omo ku leni’ – what a coincidence! All because of a story …’Kwara APC Chieftain in Police net over alleged ritual attempt on 6-yr-old boy’.
‘National Pilot put us on our toes’ – “I want to thank the medium…among the newspapers we have been doing things together, I can say, National Pilot has always been number one. They put the police on their toes”… however, somebody said a consultation will not be a bad idea, if truly there is an archive at the state headquarters of the police.
‘Police PRO is now APC’s spokesperson’…funny indeed, a friend tweeted. Imagine the accusation, ‘Undue Sensationalisation of cases under Police investigation’, please Nigerian mothers– what if the boy is your son is the question many are still asking…you may say god forbids.
Nigerian mothers and fathers …you can imagine the agony and pain; the suspect lured the boy to his residence at Tanke area of Ilorin and started using a sharp knife to dismember the boy alive. Oh My Goodness!
Mr Raufu Akano, a suppose father; with the attitudes and behaviours of people who are suppose to be disappointed in the act themselves. Just because of vanity Mr Akano did this to his fellow human.
It was the scream of the boy that woke up residents of the compound who forcefully broke into the facility after repeated pleadings to the APC Chieftain failed. Nigerian Police thinks since he is an APC member we should not have used the story, but if it is other parties’ member it is ok. Posterity indeed will surely judge. Or what do you think?
“There is no earthly reason we should not have a peaceful election…I have made my choice, it may `not be in tandem with yours. Let my choice be and let yours be and let God decide and whoever gets there let all of us support him”…was how Baba Legba put it; a quote from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
When President Muhammadu Buhari decides that his association with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano is enough to reduce his commitment to the war against corruption…heaven did not fall. Truly, watching is not seeing, you can imagine Ganduje was caught red-handed on camera pocketing wads of dollars which appeared to be kickbacks from a contractor. Our President went further during his appearance on ‘The Candidates’, a presidential town hall programme for politicians broadcast on live television to express doubt about the authenticity of the videos…heavens did not fall as well. But because a reporter performed his civic duties by reporting a crime in an ethical manner, security agents are calling for our heads.
Because we reported a story, our police threw decorum to the wind and made this allegation that we “…throws the ethics and practice of professional journalism into the winds with the ways unverified news are released for public consumption in order to score a political point thereby misinforming the public”… maybe he is yet to be briefed too after many days…Oh Nigerian Police! – You can imagine and seems or want a better people’s-friendly police force’, another tweeter’s user reacted.***
With little time to think, many people tend to make errors of judgement and throw themselves on the defensive while been offensive without knowing it. While I was about to end my chat with a friend, discussing President Muhammadu Buhari’s reaction over the bribe allegation against the Kano State Governor Gaduje over his alleged dollar bribe, many were shocked and could not but imagine how Garba Shehu responded…teaching us the difference between perception and reality.
I tell you, it is much more powerful to get others to agree with your views, except through your actions without saying a single word. Because history had proved that any momentary triumph you think you have through argument is temporary, really it is called Pyrrhic victory. And be rest assured that the resentments and ills you may stir-up may be stronger and even last longer than any momentary change of opinion you might have achieved through force.
Investigation and reporting are two pillars of necessity if effective community policing in any society must be attain and it is every citizen’s civic duty if that must be achieved.
The PPRO should not forget his exact words – “Many a times, I have reasons to quarrel with Ajikobi, Mumini but they will always insist that they get information from me. They will tell me Oga is on their neck that has always been keeping us on our toes. If there is anything going on, I always try to put my best in it because I know National Pilot will later ask me about it. I have no doubt in my mind, the medium is going places”…in pains that is how the job is done in our newsroom, ask around.
But when the watchdogs turned something else…..these attitudes may negate our collective unity is the reaction of many Nigerians. Some security agents need proper tutoring and training on how to handle divergent public views and opinions. Little wonder why late Fela Anikulapo Kuti said in one of his prophesy, ‘Police wey no no him work, na suegbe, but journalist wey no him work na pako’.
Because of where you stand, you may have distorted view and not proper perspective, learning to demonstrate the correctness of our ideas indirectly may sometimes be better. It is in Nigeria that our security men and women swallow their expertises and just obey blindly; it is different in other worlds. I know Nigeria Government spent a lot on training of the security agents of course … justification of this huge amount is demanded.
Making him realise that he is the cause of the misperception and misconception, what is happening in our polity today, none of us ever expected such…facts are sacred.
While not seeking to fix the blame of the past…let us all accept our own responsibilities for the future of Nigeria. We thank our creator for giving us the grace and will and for counting us among those to rid our society of crimes and vices, how many people can come out to say such?
Nobody can salvage disaster; it is a known fact – this is just a waste of time, Nigerians now see and believed because no matter how you tried, not many can be gagged. Former president Goodluck Ebele never did any of these and that is the only reason APC government is here today…please, think about this. Too clever to join issues or argue, we will continue to do our best and leave the rest for posterity to be the judge of us all…even if the election is rigged.
Only God knows what is next, the essence of mystery…but winning through action never through argument is truly reserved, and if you ask me, it is reserved for the matured. So also, we all know during ‘Dance of the Veil’ – the veils enveloped the dancer…what it reveals causes excitement while what it concealed heightens interest.
‘Come to APC’ your sins are forgiven – Oshiomhole said. For the likes of Mr Akano, I will like to recommend Boxer Joe Louis quote for you – ‘he can run but he can’t hide’.
‘Heal the world, if we care enough for the living’….Michael Jackson said. Let us ask ourselves, what is gain obeying orders that would lead to failure, I pray arguer’s reasoning don’t fall on deaf ears, science is neutral and reason is superiority. What is the point when blushed with shame?
Thank God I am an APC member.
Ciao!
Other quotes;
“Buhari is an agent of destabilisation, ethnic bigot and religious fanatic who, if given the chance, would ensure the disintegration of the country” – Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2003
“If they dare or intimidate me with impeachment, I will personally tell the whole world what APC planned against Nigerians” — Gov. A. Ambode (Lagos state)
Amaechi: “I Go Shoot Am O! No Talk Atiku, Say Bagudu” – At APC Campaign in Kebbi
‘Points for Concern and Action’: Obasanjo’s statement on Buhari, CJN’s Trial, Others
“Abubakar Atiku is far better than Muhammadu Buhari” – Obasanjo
*Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via aayobrown@gmail.com
