Last week, cramped up schedule of duty did not allow me send in this column early enough; hence the train left the station without us. I sincerely apologise to everyone who felt disappointed. I was minded to write on the headship of the EFCC; that it had been Northerners\Muslims galore since its creation; and now that Ibrahim Magu is on the way out, the names being suggested as replacement are also all Northerners\Muslims. I am of the opinion that the next boss of the EFCC should be a Southerner\Christian. Or is it that there are no men or women of honour and integrity in the South and amongst Christians who can catch thieves? The North\Muslims’ vice-like grip on EFCC must be broken. Are there Southerners\Christians in the Muhammadu Buhari administration? Are they men and women of honour and integrity who can stand to be counted on this? Or are they too busy with the fatty bones thrown their way to care about the mindless marginalisation of their own people? What, for instance, is the over-riding national interest that warrants the monopolisation of the EFCC top post by the North\Muslims? Some people have even alleged that the North\Muslims have the most jobs available in the EFCC. Can this be true? In open, transparent and accountable societies where information is readily available, EFCC books\registers will promptly be thrown open to confirm or dispel this very dangerous insinuation.
As promised, I publish today some of the responses to views expressed in this column in the last three weeks. Many readers phoned-in and we had lively conversations. I thank you all. Please, feel free to always express your views; I take no offence. I am a hard-hitter and can assure you I have no glass chin. Like a British colonial officer told hard-hitting Nnamdi Azikiwe in those days of the struggle for independence, the greatest test of political maturity is not only the ability to give but also to receive hard punches (In Mogwugo Okoye’s “Storms on the Niger”). It is not likely, however, that I can ever publish all the responses on Akeredolu. I will publish some more responses next week and then close the chapter – until I see reason to write about Aketi again. I take notice of the committees he set up last week. We are watching! I must not forget to wish my readers a great and eventual year ahead!
RE: Akeredolu’s first faltering step
I took time to consume your delicacy. It was very rich. You are a silent crusader and defender of Yoruba heritage and dignity. Well done! – J. Kayode.
Your analysis was well researched and accurate and to the point. As a political scientist of 48 years’ standing, I agree with you totally. – Pa Onanuga.
Thanks again for your masterpiece of an article. We in the South have the oil, the gas, the sea ports, and the VAT. We are the architects of our own misfortune. As a historian, I shudder when I think of Southern Nigeria. Like Esau, we can sell our birth right and be paid with the money that comes from us. We are fantastically stupid. Who will bail us out? – Dr. K. Irene Princewill.
I am in total agreement with your submission “Tinubu, in his own treacherous dealings with Afenifere ‘old brigade’ leaders, fits in this mould.” He really stabbed them in the back. So, it is Nemesis at work. – J. O. Aderuku, former Chairman, Akure North, Itaogbolu.
The problem started at D’Rovans as AD leaders failed to conduct a proper primary. (Bola) Ige then left them with most of the office holders. – Eketunde, Ogijo.
Thank you so much for your piece on Akeredolu but most especially on your classification of Yoruba leaders. It is objective and true. Well done! Sir J. T. Adeyemi, Ilorin.
I have not heard the opportune moment to see you one-on-one but your column in the Sunday Tribune inspires me to say, “Hi, carry on. Oo ni subu danu; ajinde ara a maa je fun e. Araiye ko ni fi e se elomiran. Amin ati amin.” A Yoruba proverb says “Olotito o ki n l’eni.” Stay blessed. – Amb. Olugbodi, VP NURTW, South-West, Nigeria.
Folks, listen again to this BB of a man: “I will hold Aketi’s feet to the fire. That is the best way to help him succeed” Vintage Odaju man! If only the Niger Deltans had held Jonathan’s feet to the fire during his reign, maybe he would have ended up as a hero and possibly bagged a second term. BB, you have to walk the talk in order to help Aketi. – Kayode Bankole Esq.
I have just finished reading “Akeredolu’s first faltering step”; it is vintage Bolawole, full of much candour, objectivity, and wisdom. I am a legal practitioner, in the same jurisdiction as Aketi. I admire him, even if I am not able to say that some of the weaknesses you and others have attributed to him are not true. I plan to buy copies for Aketi’s close friends so they could bring your treatise to his attention for necessary use. – Wale Adegoke.
Thanks for your “Akeredolu’s first faltering step” and “What lessons can Buhari teach Yahya Jammeh.” Three things always endear you to me: You tell the truth and you do not care whose ox is gored. You are tolerant; even when readers throw caution to the winds, you answer them with restraint. Above all, your write-ups are always replete with candour, pieces of advice, and wise sayings. If Akeredolu takes your advice, there is no way he will not succeed with God’s help. All Yoruba leaders cannot be in the same political party but wherever they find themselves, they should all work for the betterment of the Yoruba nation. – Olusola Taiwo.
Don’t mind Aketi! He thinks politics is consanguineous to the Law profession. He seems to forget that you don’t start raining abuses on the crocodile until you have gotten out of the pool. Some other fields accommodate calling a spade by its name but certainly not politics. – Comrade Dayo Oladeji, Saki, Oke-Ogun.
Great Ife! Owo aye o ni te o. Ase Edumare. A se ye! You write the hell of truth with all available sincerity! Damn proud of you! – 0805 733 0207.
Your expose on Akeredolu was apt at this time of the Yoruba nation’s political travails; a people whose sophistication I respect and admire. I am taken aback that some ugly past are being re-enacted by some back-stabbers and paperweight politicians who are now engaging in jiggery-pokery. At times like this, the Yoruba nation should go for sustaining self-identity and self-preservation by telling those dissident sons and daughters that they are Yoruba before being Nigerian. Never should they abuse and denigrate their political fathers and elders just to please or oil their political new-found love of other nations. Or else, the Yoruba will be Balkanized, humiliated, and made irrelevant. – Toni, Lagos.
I don’t know you and may never do but I read your column every Sunday. I am forced to give you kudos for the Aketi article. If you as an Owo man can write this, then, you are a true son of your father. But wait: Are you a political scientist or a professor? If not, then, you are a special creation of God. I only hope our Yoruba leaders will learn ki won ma ta wa si oko eru. Bravo! – Tunde Odusole, Imosan-Ijebu, political scientist and retired civil servant.
I had literally wanted to invite hell on you for castigating Aketi because of Tinubu but the last paragraph of your piece softened my stance. B’oju ba n se’pin, a ma n fi han oju ni. Abi bee ko? Please, who was Tinubu 20 years ago? Who made him National\Yoruba leader? Please, tell me one trait of Awo in Tinubu? He forcibly took Accelerated Revenue Generation programme from his fellow Yoruba man for his own personal aggrandisement in Lagos in 1999. He forcibly imposed his crony, Aregbe, on Osun and Aregbe has been “wonderfully” performing in Osun. Who sponsored Olusola Oke? It is an open secret. We know genuine Yoruba leaders when we see one please. Stop insulting our sensibilities. – Prince ‘Bola Olaoye, Osogbo.
I want to commend you for your frankness, straight-to-the-point and unbiased style of writing and analysis of issues. May the Lord continue to replenish, refresh and renew the source of your wisdom and understanding in Jesus name! Please keep to your promise to, in your own words, “hold Aketi’s feet to the fire”. That would be an avenue for him to have the truth and nothing but the truth so as to have a successful tenure of office. It is our prayer that the man performs outstandingly. I am happy seeing an Owo man at the helm of affairs; though I am not a direct indigene of Owo, I am from Owo by marriage. -Pastor Julius Olaoye.
It is a good piece, politics apart. Aketi is a good man and a jolly good fellow; a good friend of many years when we were both in the palm-wine drinkers’ club. I wish him all the best. – Adesiyan Oyewale.
Brilliant piece! – A. Olateru-Olagbegi.
RE: Fayose holds their feet to the fire
In “Fayose holds their feet to the fire”, I would have thought you would say something about the legality of a bank customer, governor or not, withdrawing a whopping sum of N5million cash in a single transaction, against the background of extant CBN regulations. As a beneficiary of the rule of law, Fayose should have stayed within that rule. – Wale Adegoke, Ibadan.
What is the limit, really?
I had thought one couldn’t withdraw more than N150,000 at a single transaction in a day. I have just been enlightened by a bank manager-friend that an account holder could withdraw a cash of any amount from his own account at a single transaction but the limit for a third party is N150,000. So, both Fayose and the bank are covered, Sir. I was the wrong party who thought the N150,000 limit was blanket. – Wale Adegoke, Ibadan.