Ehn, ehn, na now Aketi dey talk

I have a thing for what is generally termed brain-wave governance, though genuine children of God know that when brilliant but seemingly unworkable idea suddenly flows in, it is the Holy Spirit, breathing on one’s soul. In situations like that, a completely-submissive child of God would return to the original Owner of the ground-breaking idea for understanding, regarding process, procedure and making it productive. At every point of obstruction, which the pit of hell must throw in the way of such inspired project, praiseful focus, without compromise, will carry the executor over the finishing line. If your dream isn’t bigger than your capacity, you are just sleeping, says the wise.

After a lacklustre three years in office, Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, is finally finding his encore in a disputed territory. He wants marijuana legalised in Nigeria, for his state to reap a windfall as a prize of having its eye on the future. Despite having the NDLEA leadership as a side-partner, presidential advisory panel on drug abuse led by once-military shining star, now-opportunistic politician, Buba Marwa, which voice would carry a major note and rote with the Federal Government, says it is a no- no. Marwa practically accused Aketi of appetite for blood money, kicking that no gain should worth lives that would be destroyed by Aketi’s new business initiative. Were true federalism being practised in Nigeria, the governor would have been more concerned about the stance of the state congress than Abuja noise. But here, there is a grand papa in Abuja, the equivalent of old-time baba palo (family head) whose cough, whether mischievously decoded or not, is not just an ordinary law, but a plough share. If you ever had an unpleasant contact with one, you can tell the story better.

For a petulant party man who is seeking re-election in a state lost to the opposition in presidential contest a few months back, the governor would have better sense than engaging known president men, except he is dusting his Ibadan chambers up for practice re-entry. So, we can deem the “brilliant” idea, DoA (Dead on Arrival).

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Any form of smoking is anti-holiness and I’m duty-bound to hate what my Father in heaven hates. Everything should ordinarily end here, because no matter the brilliance of pro-igbo advocates, anything that would worsen the drug epidemic around us and further push the boundary of unrighteousness, should be a non-starter, regardless of the billions of dollar gain. Even if we were a true federalism, with Ondo having the constitutional latitude to please the governor’s cravings, yours truly would still have taken side with Marwa and co among countless others who see this latest venture as campaign hype of sort, considering the multitude of both overt and silent users, in the state and beyond, celebrating the initiative as “manna” and Aketi as God or more like Lucifer-sent. Though we may never get to know what our leaders sniff behind closed doors, Aketi may be mouthful, but it is doubtful if he shares taste bud with Seun Kuti or Kalakuta miscreants who now see papa oyoyo in him. So, we can pin his interest on genuine revenue drive and possibly playing to the weakness of ora-isa boys who largely determine poll outcome in Nigeria today, especially under the hand of Akeredolu’s party.

In the defence of his brainwave which I’m not certain is Holy Spirit-inspired, Aketi may want to rely on what is obviously a lot of harm the supposed developed world is doing to itself today, through widespread legalising of marijuana, in the name of free-world. If they who are supposedly there can do it, why not us? But what about the opioid crisis consuming America and most of Europe today? Do we also desire that mess, alongside the money? Our battle with codeine should be enough for now. Let the users of marijuana continue under cover. The abuses that would attend legalising it would be better imagined. Though it appears the weed is being freely used everywhere, including among law enforcers, big-time entertainers and top politicians, at least the freedom is still curtailed by the understanding that it is not legal here. The moment it is legalised, all an abuser needs to do is get a legalised person to be the middle-man and a dark tunnel of illegal marijuana distribution with massive network would naturally surface, creating overnight tainted billionaires.

But the baby should not be flushed with the bath water. Akeredolu has unwittingly reopened a new vista to the raging debate of restructuring and true federalism. If Ondo wasn’t a boys-quarter of Aso Rock, just like other states of the federation, it would be a different scenario debating the governor’s agenda. Thankfully, the landlord of Nigeria in Villa is ready for the Big Talk of true federalism. Aketi is a legal luminary. So, what are we waiting for? Let the debate begin.

Edward Dickson @56

Ah ah, small, small, as they say it, Tribune’s MD and Editor-in-Chief, Edward Dickson, is edging the grandpa status. He was 56 years Friday. When I met him about 21 years back, of course before I joined the Tribune family, he was Politics Editor. The humanity and humility of then hasn’t left him. Having grown into the Omoluabi graceful garment, I’m certain he can only get better, the same way I trust God for grace for my bro, boss and afenifere to continually grow in the Lord. May you end well sir.