Loud Whispers with JOSEPH EDGAR

Obasanjo as Village Headmaster

When you wake up and see over 100 people made Oba, why won’t the whole thing begin to look one kind? In some states in the South-west, you will see like two Obas in one street. Baales being promoted up and down for political purposes, the whole prestige and reverence of the institutions gone. There used to be one in our estate and he will be sending his Olori to attend estate meetings. His palace is one small house in Igbobi Sabe, near Fadeyi bus stop. And we would be stressing him for estate dues. He even entered the matter when we were fighting the Estate Chairman, making me wonder which kind Oba is this one sef.

It is this degeneration that Chief Obasanjo in his usually blunt and rough manner was trying to stop. It was reported that he had gone for an occasion and when the governor walked in, the Obas refused to stand up and even when the National Anthem was played, they all sha sat in their seats. In anger, the civil war hero, the prisoner of conscience and the only headmaster that Nigeria has, in righteous anger berated them.

He didn’t even stop at that, he commanded them to stand up and those ones also stood up and sat down. The whole thing looked like something that used to happen in primary schools. The way the Obas all stood up with not even one refusing and in total obedience to the headmaster. My question remains, what would Obasanjo have done if even one didn’t stand up? Well, he was saved that embarrassment as they all in “fear” stood up with their crowns on their hands or held on their heads so that they would not fall down.

As expected, Chief Obasanjo has faced a lot of flak for that action. He has been called an Onitsha man again. He has been said to have lost relevance and is using all of these antics to get back his relevance. All sorts of names and abuses have been hurled at him. One traditional ruler who himself has done much more than anyone in desecrating the institution has also risen up in righteous anger and one Yoruba council of Obas or “something like that” has stood up to ask for an apology in 10 TV stations and other media.

One would have remained in shock if we got an apology from the old soldier. What we have seen is an explanation that sits very well with me. In a few words, he reaffirmed the supremacy of political power over traditional stools and that is where I stand. Any other thing na water under the bridge. I stand with the Village Headmaster on this one, thank you sir.

Dapo Abiodun: Please Don’t Beat Me

Last week, I had made a slight commentary of my thoughts of this gentleman on the back of the demolition of Yeye Daniel’s property somewhere in his state and immediately went under fire o. One Tunde came at me o. He said he is the Publicity Secretary of APC. My people, this brother started calling me names o. That me I am amala journalist.  This one does not even know me. Who will associate me with amala? Me, na afang king. He accused me of being a puppet of Gbenga Daniel. Which Gbenga Daniel? That one that me I don’t like? Gbenga Daniel, that will be smiling at you and will never answer you? His face is permanently etched in a smile even when he is kicking you, he is smiling.

Now, instead of Ogbeni Tunde to face the main issues that bedevil his Ogun State, na me he come dey see for amala joint, raving and ranting and abusing me all over the place. Then, I started receiving calls that I should be careful o. A lot of anonymous calls.

The thing is that our leaders must be very receptive to criticism, not everybody will be on your side and be singing for you even when it is very clear that you are failing in your duties to the people.

Trying to muzzle me, moving against this column and querying its existence is not the way to go. If you are really angry with me, ban afang, ban porn, suspend all light skinned women from talking to me, then we know you mean business and you will meet my own wrath in its naked form. Sending threats, and calling me with strange numbers and warning me, will not shake me o.

My brother, please go and face the task of good governance, probity and sincere love of the people. Relocate to Shagamu and work very closely with authorities in bringing development to that town. My brother, Ibi’s mother lives there and I used to go stay with her to enjoy the peace of that town. All that is gone now and what we have is an orgy of violence. This is really not the best, the issues that face your government are real. Please focus sir.

The Emotions of Mohbad’s Passage

 Me I came to write my own in national Newspaper where I know most of those crying blood over the unfortunate passing of the music star do not come. They concentrate on that thing called X where emotions and not logic, reign free.

That Mohbad has passed is quite sad. He was said to be 27 years of age and a budding music super star. Never heard of him till the day I saw him on a stretcher and they said he was battling blood pressure. We that are in the matter, already know that this is not a joke so I was very interested because of his age. Why would a young man be suffering from BP at that age, I wondered?

Then they said, he has died. Aghhhh. Then all hell broke loose. We started hearing names like Naira Marley, Sam Larry and Marlian Label. Aghhhh twitter and social media went crazy. Ohhh Naira Marley’s head, Sam Larry head. They have to be crucified, the digital mob went on an overdrive and the Lagos State Government in their usual anywhere belle face, jumped in with the deputy governor taking excuse from always escorting the governor everywhere to visit the family and promising investigation.

Now everybody is on the matter. Even DSS whose job is national security has been asked to jump in by the governor but one question we are all failing to ask is, what is the direct cause of death? Is it bullying, royalty, abuse, drugs? That we are now attempting to hang people’s heads on poles in a rabid push to crucify them before their time.

Thankfully, an autopsy has been ordered and investigations have commenced. Let’s all calm down first and see the results before we resume the hang “Naira Marley” campaign.

Asue Ighodalo and Olu Akpata – Be like Edo wan be like Lagos

During the week, I wrote a major piece on social media about these three brothers and our Edo State. Asue reached out and said, “bro, I never come out o but be rest assured if anything like that happen, I go let you know.”

Olu on his own reached out and said, “Bro we dey the matter,” and then Obaseki’s people also reached out and basically said, “hang on to your boots, it’s going to be an exciting ride.”

My people, Edo politics is at its frenzied best especially if you now come and add Phillip Shaibu’s matter in the mix, you will simply be watching a drama, more sensational than the Big Brother fiasco.

My brother and In-law, Ohimai came out with an expert analysis. I don forget most of the things he said, but it looks like he didn’t give Obaseki any chance at imposing his willing successor. In his words, “Edo State cannot wait to see his back.” Me I agree because this Obaseki is a huge let down. He didn’t try at all. So he would be lacking a very strong moral platform to attempt at imposing a candidate.

Maybe this is why he is trying to drag erudite and very clear headed Asue into the matter. Asue is a corporate titan, well respected and with very strong influence within corporate Nigeria. Highly incorruptible and with the clarity of an intellectual, his strong points may just be what Obaseki would need to give him a seat at that table.

Olu no go fall down easily. Well-connected and looking like holding the grassroots together. He is easy going, a peoples’ person lacking in the airs that comes with his elitist background, making him easily likeable. Olu will make a major push. Philip na the joker, dem go push am back to APC and he will gang up with Oshiomhole to either throw up a strong candidate or throw himself up.

One man don kuku call me to ask question, “Edgar, how come Edo State has never been ruled by people who have teenagers as children? How will they connect with the aspirations and youths who are laying around directionless in the state?”

That question is not for me to come all the way from Akwa Ibom to come and answer in Benin. This is the question Edo people should ask themselves as they move towards the elections. We in Akwa Ibom, we get our own. Exciting, I swear.

 Amaju Pinnick: A Lily in the Field

I have followed Amaju’s trajectory from Delta FA to the peak at FIFA where he coordinated the last world cup which was held in Qatar and I have come to the realisation that this is not an ordinary Nigerian. I have interacted with him severally and have come out of each engagement with the conviction that this is one Nigerian, that has his head screwed right.

The other day, I saw a report of the huge farm he was cultivating in Osun State. I watched the video in awe and marvelled at what he was doing exactly especially at these times. You will agree with me that going into agriculture with all the challenges that come with it is not something for the weak hearts.

The huge facilities, its potential for job creation and infrastructure development not to talk of food security makes one to step back and look at Amaju with one kind eye.

I hail him o and every time I engage with him I used to secretly wonder if he remembers that I once lost his money as a stockbroker. Abeg no remind am o, make he no come ask for refund this one that Naira is looking like “agbo jedi jedi” beside the dollar. Kai.

Odukoya: When Funny Things Happen

It didn’t come as a surprise when he was announced as successor to his well-respected father – Pastor Taiwo Odukoya. Just as I was about to fire that the church was now a monarchy, reports showed that apparently, he had been groomed for the position. They had sent him to the world-famous Oral Roberts University to train as a Pastor. Kai, he had gone through the whole hog and even if he was not the son of the famous Pastor, he was still more than qualified for the position.

Despite these however, something still does not sit well with me on this matter. The fact that the whole thing is looking hereditary is not sitting well with me. People have cited other examples where wives and sons have taken over from founder-pastors even internationally.

Is this really right? Discounting the spiritual role in these things, using “carnal” eyes, is it right that a son would take over from father automatically in an establishment that has been built by commonwealth and have pulled in wide human resources to build it to the size that it is?

Well, before they carry prayer and fasting to pursue me, let me keep quiet o but not before I say congrats to my fellow “dada and tattoo wearing” colleague for his latest appointment as Senior Pastor of my church, the Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju.

Let me also send my greetings to his lovely sister who also was appointed associate pastor ensuring that the line of inheritance is maintained. Well-done and keep it up. Na wa.