Abdu Rafiu
About a year ago, leading politicians in the land, undoubtedly looking for space and platform moved to African Democratic Congress, for short, ADC. The movement has turned out to be a disappointing misadventure. We are talking about our political juggernauts, the leading lights in the firmament. See the roll call: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President Brigadier-General David Mark, former Governor Peter Obi; former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the well-known Alimosho kingpin and star, one-time helmsman in sophisticated Osun State; former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso in whose shadows the irrepressible spirit of the stormy petrel Aminu Kano was believed to be lurking, whispering and guiding. Now, step forward, Aminu Tambuwal in immaculate white raiment, and add to that the effortless sunshine smiles. He makes friends easily. John Oyegun, erudite and thoughtful, was former Governor of Bendel State (then comprising Edo and Delta State), and a first National Chairman of APC, taking over from Bisi Akande who served as an interim chair. A man of finesse, his brilliance shone through when he was a Federal permanent secretary. And last but not the least of the galaxy of stars, the PH boy, amiable with the gift of the gab. Around him, there can be no dull moment. Please, take a bow, Rotimi Amaechi. In his good moments, he knows how to drive away the whales and sharks and summoning the calming waves of the beautiful and undulating waters that are at the same time rippling the oil-endowed Rivers.
With such array of stars in the galaxy, you would think nothing could go wrong. Recall when the Eastern star rose and powerfully beamed his rays to encircle the land, youths absorbed the rays. They were animated; they were fired by his rays and they began to raise their heads. Within the tinkle of an eyelid, they formed themselves into what they called Obedient Movement. In the end, even without the usual structures, he garnered six million votes, coming third in the contest. The Labour Party he overwhelmed was given instant oxygen. The party came alive and was vibrant. The internal wranglings in the party paled into irrelevance. I believe the reckoning is that if the unrelenting Eastern rising star brings the waves to ignite the rays to be emitted by the Atiku constant Northern star it was going to be a never-to-be-forgotten pugilism with whoever jumps onto the canvass of the national arena– with Aregbesola and Kwankwaso at the ringside with cheering, magic grassroots crowd, when the time comes. Among those who would be at the ringside were the former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido and Babachir David Lawal former Secretary to the Government of the Federation. It was going to be battle Royal. But alas, it is not likely to be! It would appear the toasting and winning of the heart of the ADC beautiful bride has gone awry!
It is surprising that the suitors only fixed their gaze on the beauty of the ADC they intensely longed for and still desire as bride. Before they won the heart of what the nationalist Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe would call the beautiful bride, before they had gone to town to announce that they had won her soul gotten her consent, and all that remained was to march her up to the dais for solemnisation, to be followed by dancing and rejoicing.
What I am getting at is that the protagonists surveyed their gathering and saw it was the coming together of innumerable stars in the galaxy. Eminent men and women who have seen it all—the inside of government, how parties are formed, how government is run; and the relationship between the governors and the governed. They know all the rules and procedures. They liked the glitters they saw, rejoiced and went into the situation room to prepare for a battle royal. However, in spite of their experience and exposure it would appear they did not dot the i’s and cross the t’s. They got out and set sail to prepare to face APC in what promised to be an epic battle. They did not do their homework well. They had not sailed far when a strong storm arose in the sea, threatening to sink the ship. It began as an undertow. David Mark was confident because, trained in the art of warfare and someone who had seen battles before, he assured his colleagues of his expertise to manoeuvre the ripples, face the storm and overpower it.
One man arose and cried foul, that our super stars in the political arena had taken over his party without his consent. He told the world that he is chairman of ADC and he had not surrendered it to anybody or group of persons. His name is Nafiu Gombe. He is reported to have said his purported resignation as chairman, thus handing over his party to David Mark is forgery. The Appeal Court said the warring parties should hold their peace and go back to what the position was originally before the dispute broke out, before Nafiu Gombe awoke from his slumber to realise what was happening and the implication for him and the party. He vehemently denied resigning. The purported letter itself crawled and got to INEC office eventually after four months. Based on the decision of the Appeal Court, INEC decided to withhold the recognition of any of the factions. The David Mark faction then began to see the voice as that of Jacob and the hand that of Esau in Professor Joash Amupitan’s stance to respect the ruling of the Appeal Court. For them Jacob had gone to see Isaac his father! The Coalition has, therefore, started pressing for Professor Amupitan’s resignation. There was a protest march to his office led by David Mark and in which Atiku Abubakar, Aregbesola and Obi featured.
These are men of great standing each of whom, or even two or three coming together can form a respectable party of their own with inconceivably huge followership and subscribers. Renowned men, all. Immediately a dispute was about to arise, and seeing the handwriting on the wall, they should have thought of a fall-back position. They have the means. The war chest is considerable. Now, the clock is tinkling, the hour is drawing close fast to register a new party or revalidate the existing ones. INEC requires plenty of time for a glitch-free election preparation. These are men brandishing hopes that as a collective, they have the grit and stamina to block the road of whoever may wish to jet out to Cameroun to sit at Paul Biya’s feet for tutorials and then read his book on how to stay on the throne for 40 years and still counting, especially as PDP that could have been counted upon as bulwark to protect liberty and choices is in disarray. Gani Fawehinmi is gone; he exited earthly life in September, 2009. There was a remembrance lecture delivered in his honour last January. Beko Ransome- Kuti has left. Ditto Bala Usman. Ditto Balarabe Musa. Femi Falana is the serious lonely voice in the wilderness pressing for societal values and protecting liberty, assisted by Omoyele Sowore. Shehu Sani is mellowing. Olisa Agbakoba’s trenchant voice laced with scholarship has petered out. The SAN is not growing younger! Prince Adewole Adebayo’s informed analysis may not be enough to deter illiberalism. Who are left to make WS proud? Tai Solarin was long gone.
It is not whether anybody group will win or fail. Competition is the oil for engine of liberty; it sobers the mind; it gives assurance. We know the nature of man; we are familiar with history of nations. It is all hail the king today, it is crucify him tomorrow. We just must be on the alert for liberty and free choice of Nigerian citizens. I state this only in humble recognition of the level of inner maturity and attendant radiance in which we human beings swing at the moment which is daily being exposed in the waves of purification sweeping through the entire world, triggered by the pressure of the Light.
Pray that Atiku, David Mark, John Oyegun, Peter Obi, Aregbesola, Rotimi Amechi, Tambuwal, Babachir Lawal and a host of them do not scamper out of ADC in humiliation and disgrace—a party they animated and into which they poured so much heat. They miscalculated.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Question: Since we know what happens to us when we die, why do I still feel sad when someone I know passes on? Does this mean my faith in the scheme of things is shaky? If so, how do I improve on the vacuum I feel when a friend or family member passes on?
Answer: There are two issues the question has highlighted. There is the impact of death of a friend or family member on the living. There is the reaction to the death. The impact ensures a feeling of emptiness. And there is sadness as a reaction, arising from the sheer occurrence of death. Or from both. With death comes the realization of a definitive parting. The impact of this realization is capable of engendering a feeling of a vacuum in the life of a relation or friend depending on the closeness of the relationship. The sadness will depend on our understanding of what has taken place as well as the level of maturity, brought about by experience and using the appropriate knowledge therefrom.
Death of a friend or a relation often presents an instructive experience for the living. Indifference is impossible. Sadness that oftens overtakes us, especially when it is momentary, may arise from coming to terms with the definitiveness of the separation. Because death is a momentous into the beyond, its occurrence is often accompanied by sobriety and in some cases fear. Sobriety by its very essence imposes moments of reflection on the living however fleeting. Indeed, no matter our level of maturity death cannot be a moment of overt rejoicing. Reflection brings in its train a sudden recognition that it would inexorably be our turn one day with the concomitant self-examination of what may lie in wait for us. This may result in fear.
Knowledge of what happens to us when we die is knowledge of where our path leads us when we pass over. From time to time we have a glimpse of this in our dreams. The dream may show how much grounds we still have to cover from the nature of the environment we often find ourselves in vivid dreams. Of course, radiations from over exerted frontal brain, cerebrum, can distort the picture, especially when the exertion takes place close to when we go to bed.
For a knowing one sadness may arise from a concerned and loving sensing without being judgemental that the departed could have done more in terms of adequate preparation for his departure. There may also be a subconscious fear for the departed which may arise from an unconscious contact by the departed for whom life on the other side is perhaps a strange and shaken experience. What are called for on such an occasion are prayerful wishes that the departed may receive help on his path and in his experiences.
Weak faith, as you have sensed, may be a reason for sadness. It is possible there are still areas of what constitutes knowledge we may be grappling with. Knowledge leads to conviction which in turn gives rise to faith. Knowledge gives confidence and victorious calmness in the ever-present help of our Lord and Maker. The vacuum which occurs upon the death of a family member or a friend will be filled gradually and sadness eliminated as faith grows and inner maturity increases. With maturity there is a greater hold on our emotions and control on activities we may permit ourselves generally.
The Guardian
