Truth is sometimes bitter but it must be told at all times. The truth is that Ahmed Bola Tinubu made Buhari the president with assistance from Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. As such they deserve a place at the table. The Igbo has a saying that “agbata ekehe eke n’abu nta.” Probably only the older Igbo will understand this wise counsel. It has to do with hunting where young boys help hunters by “beating the bush” driving games to where they would be shot and killed by the main hunters. The rule was that after the hunt, the meat is divided to all participants with huge shares to the hunters. But occasionally the “big men” deny the boys their share. When that happens the boys would not participate anymore and therefore the hunting ends. So the Igbo expression above says that when this happens collaborative hunting ends.
For many years Mr. Muhammadu’s current insiders tried without success to make GMB the president of Nigeria. And they failed woefully. They even created Boko Haram to help next time and still failed. It was not until the duo of Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi got into the fray that PMB was created. They like the boys in Igbo tale deserve recognition for their efforts. That is the truth and I dare say so. I am not a fan of either Tinubu or Amaechi, but my gosh, I will dare to tell the truth.
There is enough blame to go around. GMB knew that Tinubu was a conniving, thieving governor who has been charged with corruption and cannot enter USA freely. He also knew that the funds Amaechi was supplying him were stolen from the Rivers state treasury for Amaechi was not a billionaire before becoming a governor, and yet he decided to eat with the devils. The saying made very prominent by the former president Obasanjo is that even among thieves, there is honor. GMB have become PMB and should be honorable and give the devils their share.
Mr. Tinubu has his own blame. He became too ambitious. He always had this tendency. He wanted to appoint the Vice President, The Speaker and the Senate President. This plan would mean that the president would hold his office at his (Tinubu’s) convenience. Nobody would accept those conditions. PMB wanted to be his own master but was smarter and accepted Tinubu’s VP selection which was necessary before his coronation but once crowned he jettisoned the ladder that he used to get up there. Tinubu should learn to scale back his ambitions. He should have learned this lesson from his successor at the state house in Ikeja who he tried to make his errand child.
Mr. Amaechi was ambitious too. They all always are. He wanted to be VP too, to be Oil Minister if everything fails. He too got neither. He got the useless transport ministry, a consolation award. His ambition is limited and his punishment was limited. I hope that he is learning.
PMB must have read Machiavelli’s The Prince a few ties and understood the message and used it. But PMB has nor read or understood Mathew 26:52
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (KJV)
Messrs. Tinubu and Amaechi may be down; but possibly not out. And even if they are out there are other Tinubu’s and Amaechi’s. A president can be brought down in a democracy just as in a dictatorship. If and when the conspiracy to bring him down begins there are many people and organizations that would be willing to join. We do not know them yet but we should assume that there are people who do not like President Muhammadu Buhari. We can count on the dismissed VC, Permanent Secretaries, people under investigation, secessionists, opposition parties disgruntled APC men and women etc.
Mr. Buhari should find a way to make amends with Mr. Tinubu and Mr. Amaechi without conceding his throne. He might need them yet. His inner circle may not be strong enough.
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Caesar:
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry “Caesar!” Speak, Caesar is turn’d to hear.
Soothsayer:
Beware the ides of March.
Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2.
Written by Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba.
