THE NUISANCE WITHIN

'The insect in a kolanut will eventually render it useless'-Old Ebira Adage

Sometimes what appears too minute or harmless on the eye can bring about the huge fall of a man.The President is shutting his eyes to a lot of 'Media hooliganism' perpetrated by his supporters which could have a very devastating effect after all said and done.No GENUINE poll would place him as favourite to win the Presidential elections at this time.As a matter of fact,none since the primaries.But no one can afford to write him off because he stands a very good Chance of retaining his seat.We all saw the effect PDP's 'Rice' stunt had on the Ekiti Guber Elections.

Technically, a lot of things could change no matter how remote chances of that happening may be but people like Ayo Fayose and Asari Dokubo can ruin everything he is working towards.The implications of their silly and highly regrettable comments in the media are so weighty not even statements by the Presidency or the PDP distancing themselves from them can mitigate the damage.
The President is not popular with the majority of the populace and the actions of people like these two further diminish his fan base.To supplement all previous threats; notably one to wage war if Jonathan loses, Asari has promised to match Shekau's violence,urged all ibos to leave the north and went on to accuse the Yoruba of joining Northerners in the 'plan' to bring his brother down in reaction to the President been stoned in Katsina.

If most people consider Asari a clown who would be better off raking in money at a circus,one can't say same about Ayo Fayose, the current Governor of Ekiti state-home of two distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria-Afe Babalola and Femi Falana and quite incidentally both have accused him of trying to kill them at one time or the other.If Asari has no reputation to protect or worry about, same cannot be said of this man who is on his second stint as Governor of his state.Ayo Fayose in what has now come to be referred to as the 'Death Wish', placed an advertorial in two daily Newspapers with pictures of some Nigerian Leaders who died in power suggesting Gen. Muhammadu Buhari may die if elected.The advertorial included a biblical verse urging Nigerians to choose life.
Now think of the implications.

Asides the inflammatory nature of the comments and their tendency to ignite a crisis,somebody seems to have forgotten the Northern part of Nigeria has by far the largest number of voters.A landslide by the opposition in the region would all but guarantee new occupants of the Aso Rock Villa come May 29th 2015.As it is,the President already has a lot on his plate if elections are going to be free and fair.No matter what his cronies choose to make him believe when he goes for rallies, a lot of people are scared of campaigning for him.Already,Kano state party stalwarts; Aminu Wali and Ibrahim Shekarau have been chastised by somerof his supporters for not campaigning for him in the country's most populated state.There have been reports of Presidential campaign vehicles meant to be used in Kano still at the Kaduna State Government House even with N70,000 cash been dangled before drivers to risk their lives.These two ought to note this.

If elections will be free and fair,then I bet the President understands the implications of not getting a decent share of the spoils in the North.The higher the chances of the APC running him ragged there, the more incompetent the SSS would appear to be if it didn't already have Mr Dokubo under surveillance.When people like him and Ayo Fayose indulge in their 'Expensive' buffoonery,only one person bears the consequences of their acts;The President.
With the PDP facing its stiffest opposition yet, taking issues like these for granted only lends credence to talk about them getting set to rig the forthcoming Elections.Even if these persons haven't as much as laid eyes on the President before, the fact that their actions have a highly negative impact on his campaign necessitates some movement towards their direction for there couldn't be a more crucial time.

He seems to have a soft spot for Ex-militants and has even offered them a mouth-watering contract to guard pipelines so getting Asari to control his utterances shouldn't be a problem if he really wants that.You never know when the next circus could tempt him into showcasing his skills in the few weeks preceding the elections.

As for Ayo Fayose,I haven't read the PDP constitution so I don't know if it provides for any punishment asides expulsion or suspension, preferably a pecuniary one.A hefty fine could mitigate the damage in a way a mere statement distancing itself from his opinion never would.What politics has in common with showbiz is the need to do certain things for the Cameras.A fine or some other 'Fancy' measure would do if Suspension is deemed too harsh in Mr Fayose's case considering the fact that the President has a history of playing the ideal party man even to his own detriment.
Most times in a man's life, factors surrounding a disappointment are influential in the strength he can muster to deal with it.A word is enough for the wise.

RELIGIOUS CLERICS :ONE SHAMEFUL DESCENT TOO MANY

Sometimes I am almost moved to tears when I see the society we have prepared for our kids to live in.They deserve better than a society where you can't live anywhere you want without finding out which religious faithfuls are pre-dominant in the area.A Society where kids have been denied an opportunity to tap fully into diverse cultures and grow into the best adults they could possibly be without compromising their religious values and most unfortunately, a society where religious clerics have developed a knack for descending into the political arena with total disregard for the implications of so doing.

Religious leaders and clerics have a pivotal role to play in ensuring peace in the present day society and desisting from dabbling into a matter as sensitive as politics forms a part of that role.The average Nigerian places God above everything else.Hence,religious clerics have a very powerful influence over their decisions and choices and it is disappointing to see some of these men abuse that influence.
Islam and Christianity all set standards for their clerics that rank above that of the average faithful.They are expected to abstain from appearing biased and must exercise utmost decorum at all times.Above all,they must desist from anything that will bring their religion to disrepute.These days,a lot of them have descended into the realm of we lesser mortals by criticizing and endorsing politicians.From the little I know of how these men ought to behave, they are to pray for whoever is best for us and to accept any outcome as God's Will.They are to forget the past and not crictize the mistakes and misgivings of past leaders because everything has been pre-destined by God and what more?.He enjoins us to forgive those who have wronged us.They are to plead with leaders to tow the right path and not abuse them.Both faiths condemn the use of offensive language and enjoin faithfuls to speak in a decent and courteous manner.Any cleric who does or think otherwise isn't qualified to teach us the scriptures on any Friday,Sunday or any other day for that matter.

When Sheik Abubakar Gumi,a Respected Islamic Scholar said on Sahara TV shortly after Ex-President,Olusegun Obasanjo's 18 page letter to President Jonathan titled-'Before it is too late' that even if Obasanjo and his government were corrupt, it was for him and his friends and not to divide Nigeria.He also said he was ready to forgive Obasanjo for all he did to Nigerians.There and then I knew we were in trouble.I,for one can't absolve OBJ of any blame talk more forgive him because of a letter detailing another man's sins.Equity demands I do same to Jonathan if he writes the next President.
The Sheik has gone on in subsequent times,to urge President Jonathan to 'Repent and Resign' and to also say neither GEJ or Buhari are right for us.He further went on to do the abominable by saying the APC,by adopting Prof Osinbanjo as Buhari's running mate,a Redeemed Pastor,now had the 'Church's feet engrossed in it and not just Christians'.That is unacceptable and he certainly doesn't speak for me as a Muslim.

Ahmed Ali,a Zaria based Islamic Cleric did speak for me when he advised him to leave politics to politicians and focus on religious teachings.He should offer advice to those he wants to personally and preach that youths desist from violence.That is an ideal Ulama.

The Sheik has said his life and that of his family have been threatened.Only Boko Haram would have done such if he had played his role from the get-go and not the average Nigerian who holds him and his kind in high esteem.
A Respected Priest, Rev Fr. Mbaka's case is even more pathetic.This man had endorsed Jonathan only to 'de-endorse' and opt for Buhari on another morning.The new endorsment was accompanied by a scathing criticism of the Jonathan Government.Fr. Mbaka is a hero to some who still remember how he stood toe to toe with the previous Enugu State Government.He stood up for what he believed was right and spoke his mind at all times.There was a price though: gunmen who stormed a prayer meeting of his in 2002 triggered a stampede that led to the loss of 12 lives-Innocent souls who had come to worship.The Catholic Church has called on the Bishop of the Enugu diocese to caution him and went on to distance itself from his endorsement of Buhari and criticism of the Jonathan administration in a most praiseworthy move.The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria,Rev.Fr Ralph Madu said it all when he advised him to say what the Holy Spirit reveals to him in a manner that will forestall confusion and trouble because in his words-"who are we to question the Holy Spirit?".

There is nobody who has witnessed first hand, the after-effects of religious clashes who wouldn't be concerned by utterances like those of these two clerics.Their followers look up to them to know right from wrong and in a very heat-prone polity like ours, its best they hush their political opinions,endorsements and affiliations whatsoever.I remember vividly what transpired after the last Presidential elections in Kaduna where I was based then.What started from wanton destruction of the properties of PDP members in protest of GEJ's victory by APC supporters escalated into a clash between Muslims and Christians leading to the death of innocent non-politicians.Religious leaders and clerics as fathers are a major rallying point in the call for peace at such times.When a 'father' stoops so low as to play rough with his children in public,he automatically loses the respect of everyone.

Sheik Gumi is the only Ulama I know who plays activist in the media.Ahmed Ali and others have come out to state the standards expected of an Islamic scholar and I must commend clergymen like Pastor Enoch Adeboye who understand their role in a society like ours.He has prayed for both Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan and even visited the Late President Yar'adua at the Villa without publicly endorsing or campaigning for any of them.
At a time when supporters are threatening fire and brimstone if their candidates aren't elected, I hope our Men of God will preach peace and restraint instead of choosing candidates for their brethren.God help us.

MY BEST 'EVERYTHING' OF 2014

2014 was a great year for me in all ramifications.Professionally,I attended my first Annual Bar Conference after I received a personal commendation from the DPP of my State which has to go down as one of my most happiest days on earth.Nothing like people acknowledging the hardwork you put in.I was actively involved in an uprising of sorts that stalled the Kano Bar Elections till the Laws were adhered to.Gave a brief interview on TV as a result.Below are some of the things that made my year thick.An interview with Me,Myself and I.

MY BEST MOVIE

Has to be WOLF OF WALL STREET.Officially released December 2013 but wasn't on DVD till May '14.It got just as much criticisms as props for some obscene scenes; drugs and all.Believe me if I could I would change a lot of negative things about this great movie.Leonardo Di Caprio brought his A-Game and the 'there is no nobility in poverty' scene was the most viral and talked about in '14.Most of the memes I saw had scenes from this movie.You know the standard test for a movie:Would you ever get tired of watching?.It passed in flying colours.

COUPLE OF THE YEAR
If it ain't Jay Z and Beyonce...Lol.Yeah,they have always been.They always look like they fell in love yesterday.It never wanes.They remind  you of that saying-'If you marry your best friend,you stay happy forever'.If its not ball games and beaches then its museums or parks with these people.They went on tour together and couldn't help but agree with Matthew Knowles that rumours of them splitting was a publicity stunt.They love themselves too much to cheat and that is the the only thing that can damage a union irreparably.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

I will try not to shed tears as I hand this to John Wall of the Washington Wizards.He dedicated his game winning last 10 points in double overtime against the Bolton Celtics to a Six year old friend he lost to cancer before the game.It was really touching to watch him break down in tears during the post-match interview.Floyd 'Money' Mayweather isn't too far behind.Still unbeaten and...richest sportsman.Always been a 'Money' fan because he reminds me of the G.O.A.T; Muhammad Ali.Walks his talk.You can't blame a man for bragging when he does all he said he would do.Its a case of owning 'Bragging Rights'.

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR

Hannatu Musawa.Her articles were top notch and she stood out all year. 

ARTICLE OF THE YEAR

My 'Plantain and Dodo' Politics which was my first published article.I like to think I did great.It was published in Leadership Newspapers and I got a lot of props for it.I also love my 'Education:Building Something on Nothing' piece.Reminds just how we keep on doing the same thing and yet expect a different result.Hannatu Musawa's piece on Muhammad Ali was sublime, I liked it a lot.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

I have been a diehard Barca fan for 16 years now but I will hand this to Athletico Madrid Fc.They blew everyone to bits.Clinched the Liga and played the UCL final kicking out Ac Milan,Barcelona and Chelsea en route with a 'starless' squad.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Diego Simeone no doubt.Built his unheralded Athletico Madrid team in his image as a player-Concentration,tireless running,discipline: Offensively,Defensively and as players generally.No temperamental black sheep.They stayed focused,modest and never took their eyes off the prize.Of all the winners in the top leagues in Europe in at least the last five years,his team was by miles the least expensive.Earned my respect.

BEST BOOKS

I stack books.So many I could start a library;Commercial of course.Lol.I bought a lot of Islamic Books, a whole lot.I got me Three Qu'rans and donated one to my neighborhood Mosque in Kano.Didn't get enough time to read last year which I hope will change this time out.My favourite Law book would be ST HON (SAN)'s LAW OF EVIDENCE IN NIGERIA.It cost a lot less than the fifty thousand naira price tag when it was first released.The most common mistakes lawyers make during trials are evidence-related and I also needed a good book that would deal extensively with Electronic Evidence.Prior to 2011,it wasn't in our Evidence Act.
I also bought a lot of novels most of which were during the Owerri Bar Conference.I love my authors-the late Sidney Sheldon...John Grisham a distant second and then Jeffrey Archers as well.My pick would be BEST LAID PLANS by Sidney Sheldon.A suspense-packed page-turner.Vintage Sheldon.

WORST LOWS

The worst of all was the sad demise of Diff (Difference) who lost his fight against Cancer.A good friend I flirted with music at the same time with as undergraduates.Dude loved my first song to bits and told me I was the next best thing.Too bad we never got to work on a song together though we performed in a Show I invited he and the rest of the crew to in my school.
Then the Chibok girls.Hurt us all bad.Third would have to be the Eagles failure to qualify for this year's Afcon.Felt really bad.Then the Cash Money-Young Money feud.Lil Wayne is Stunna's adopted son and he made him the Super Star he is today.People always referred to them when illustrating what real loyalty meant.i really feel bad for their kids who are like siblings.Wayne's daughter calls Stunna her Pa Ren because he is her godfather and thats how its done in New Orleans (lol).Then there was Jordin Sparks breaking up with Jason Derulo.What kind of man lets a lady like that go?.Sad.They both collaborated on a love song I love so much-VERTIGO.Well...it happened.Guess they both moved on.

BEST SONGS

This is definitely the toughest for me considering that music is more or less a best friend.Its not just a thing to me like most people.I'll start with Rich Gang's LIFESTYLE.Cash money is always about floss and it felt really great to hear a ground-up joint.New Boys-Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug  had generated quite some buzz and 'Thugga Thugga' was on some new issh...Something like Future when he first banged.Unique style.His hook on this joint was perhaps the most popular of 2014.I hand it to Stunna, he is a shrewd ShowBidne$$ Man.Period!
Then also Trey Songz's FOREIGN.Tight offering.One thing I always liked about Trey is his knack for thinking out of the box and that is invaluable.This song blew me away..'I just might pull out my Vi$a'.Lol.Had Justin Bieber on the remix and after a listen I felt he ought to have gotten T-Pain on it.'Mr Auto-tune' was made for joints like this.Not to take anything from it though,Biebs killed it.Realized that afterwards.
EURO's INDUCTION SPEECH off the Young Money sophomore Lp-Rise of an Empire was dope as well.Dude spoke from the heart.Classic 'Started from the bottom,now we here' stuff.
Locally,I felt a lot of songs but my best by miles has to be Mi's BULLION VAN and not because it came late.It is what it is-#Classic.Matter of fact,my overall best song of the year.Love everything about it.From Runtown's 'ehnh Nkwa' chant at the beginning to Stormrex's 'capping'.Mr Incredible as usual killed it-'We dey hang out at the best spots with a hilux and a bullion and an ambulance in the escort.Yekpa!!.And Phyno?..*In his voice* You don't wanna go there!!..Lol.
Second would be Runtown's SUCCESSFUL Freestyle.Sampled Mario Winans's I DON'T WANNA KNOW beat.Personally,this song has this inexplicable grip over me.It just keeps reminding me how far I done came,what i have done with my life in so short a while and how grateful I should be.I could have ended up in a million different places under the worst possible conditions.Big up Bruh.
Then you also have Rayce's JACK SPARROW which was released in '13 but I only got to listen to it last year.Loved it to bits.When he goes-'To ma,To ma',you just  have to picture you doing the 'Money dance'.Lol.
Finally,Mi's MONKEY featuring Chigurl was tight.What I liked about Mi was his not towing the 'Sabi Sabi' path.He didn't tinker with a winning formula.The Chairman album was more commercial than his previous ones but he never tried too hard to diversify and experiment.AFRICAN RAPPER No.1 featuring Flavour years back was a Monster hit that even my kid sis loves till this day,so what did he do?.He gave us BULLION VAN and MONKEY with the same eastern feel which in my opinion were the two best songs off the album.A lot of cats out there would have tried to show off on versatility and.... ended up making albums for only them and their friends or worse still,Rock fans.

MAN OF THE YEAR

Is my state Governor,Engr.Rabiu Kwankwaso who has performed exceptionally well.He is rushing extra-hard to finish up all his outstanding projects.A lot of people would have left them for the incoming government but not this man.Kudos.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Late Dr Adadevoh like everyone else thus I lean on their reasons.Lol.Great lady.May her Gentle soul RIP.Amin.

Do have yourselves a fabulous 2015: More Money,Good health,Joy and countless more blessings.See you all at the finish line Insha Allah.Thanks for Reading.

THE ELUSIVE ONE MAN

"Integrity is the lifeblood of any democracy,deceit is a poison in its veins"-Edward Kennedy

Contrary to what a lot of people think,the original author of the words-'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' wasn't William Shakespeare,It was William Congreve.And if he were still alive and a Nigerian in present day,I bet he wouldn't have borne any grudge if he heard any one say-'Hell hath no fury like a Nigerian politician scorned'.Every politician has a right to choose the party he/she wants to belong to.That right is constitutional; a reason why I frowned at the APC making all Presidential candidates sign an agreement to remain in the party no matter the outcome of the presidential primaries.Asides from being unconstitutional,what is the point when it is not enforceable in a court of law and you can't actually stop anyone who wants to leave?
A typical Nigerian politician isn't any different from the little kids we see around who hate you when you don't give them what they want and choose that time to remember just how bad you are.

This is defection season.Many after the primaries and many more after the General elections.
People who lose primaries in one party move to another with tales of how they just woke up to the fact that they have been in bed with a gang of thieves,glorified militants or fraudsters.It was all good a week ago and even yesterday until they lost the primaries.This category of politicians are the most annoying because they seem to genuinely believe they will sway you with their arguments.They never realized they had bad company until Primary Election results were announced.The honourable path beckoned after they suddenly realized what an unjust and cheating bunch they had been playing with.There are some who leave on a peaceful note and you respect them for not offending your sensibilities.They are the non-hypocritical few who are proud products of their environment and don't believe they owe anyone an excuse.
We also have the category that got bullied out because they had lost power and influence in their old parties.

Their stories in a nutshell,depict an image of those who regardless of what they did to those before them,bowed out 'honourably' and with their 'integrity' intact rather than be lorded over by people who see politics as a do or die thing.People who fall here in almost every case have acquired a decent level of experience as far as our politics is concerned but come across as being incurably naive and suffering from self-inflicted amnesia.These people ought to know more than anyone that money and power are the 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' in our politics.Today,an Obasanjo has to live with the fact that he can do nothing about Buruji Kashamu being the leader of his zone because whatever Power and influence he weilded in the region has long left him.Most people in this category rose to their former positions themselves because of the two 'WMDs' and when a new kid on the block emerges,they rant about how they are being sidelined and aren't being accorded due respect.
Usually,nobody bothers reminding them of what transpired between them and the former Leaders or elders whom they 'disrespected'.

Then the last category.The ones who strategically position themselves for great things.Ones who defect to a bigger platform knowing they are better placed to seize power or hobnob with those who have it and acquire the attendant benefits of doing such.Their excuses depict their old parties as being petty and unprogressive.To practice genuine democracy,you have to be in the midst of true democrats is the mantra.This class in my humble opinion,ought to spare everybody those long lines about not being able to do whats right in the wrong place.A good excuse which quite frankly only a few give is that they need to be in a place where they can get to serve the people in the fastest possible time.In other words,strategically positioned depending on which of the contexts you wish to adopt.One thing both sub-categories share in common is desperation.The poster boy for the latter context is Nuhu Ribadu.He left APC for PDP peacefully without falling out with anyone.He spared us a long sermon and in return,the objective ones among us kept mute.They have taught me to regard every Nigerian politician as guilty until proven innocent to be on the safe side.Even Gen.Buhari's CPC substituted candidates and staged controversial primaries, some right under his nose in Katsina.This is what we wake up to everyday.Politicians who themselves woke up to certain facts at the most convenient time and expect us to swallow their every line.In most cases,we know the real reasons even before hearing what they have to say and we would both be better off if we were spared some convenient tale about the friends they kept.
I have said countless times,anyone who regards a party as being better than the others only chooses to deceive themselves.What is the difference if anybody can stroll into any fold at their own convenient time?.Why fight with each other and argue over moral high grounds when they keep 'trading' members to each other?.

Sometimes I wish Obasanjo had taken up Tinubu's offer to join the APC.I would want to hear Lai Mohammed's excuse for all the atrocities they accused him off at one time or the other?Would they say He has 'Changed' or was misunderstood?.Clearly,Nigerian political parties lack ideology.If they did then it would have to be hypocrisy-centred because they always swallow their vomit.You can't call people thieves and admit them into your fold.In the great words of Malcolm X-"If you don't stand for something,you will fall for anything".
As far as the search for that one man who would decamp to another party for none of the aforementioned reasons goes; the one man who would jump ship not because he can't stand the heat or was scorned,the one man who wouldn't because he has something to gain,we are still searching.And I hope we find him soon...for our own good.