The current succession dissension in OAU is like the proverbial paraplegic, but who in this case, is trying to adopt red-herring in seeking answers to his wobbly load, instead of acknowledging that the problem is down below. Many stakeholders, are also, unfortunately looking at the up–trying to isolate the current crisis–even when they are close enough to see the K-leg–the genesis of the crisis. While some of the commentators may be genuinely ignorant of the facts preceding the latest invasion, a couple of the aphoristic voices, whipping only the Ife warriors and by extension their Kabiyesi, Oonirisa, are only playing the ostrich, considering their close acquaintances with different power blocs in OAU leadership at different times. One of them, is Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. I digress.
Pastor Williams Kumuyi of Deeper Life Church, famously said that if you as a child of God, decided to marry a daughter of the devil (an unbeliever), you can’t stop your father-in-law, the devil, from visiting your home. It was an admonition to discourage being unequally yoked, in conjugal consummation. There is also this cliché about the wisdom in dining with ekwensu himself, with a long spoon. It is an admonition against entering into IOU like brotherhood.
Today, pre-election promises of our political leaders are considered the worst of the worthless, because of unbroken pattern of breaking those promises. After numerous seasons of complaining about the dreadful style of not manifesting the manifestoes in office, both aaya (monkey) and Ogungbe (the hunter), have developed ways of making the best of the hopeless situation. That is why political rallies where quotable quotes should emanate, are now mere gathering for real-time entertainment and crude showmanship. The most memorable sound-bites from such arena, are lyrical but empty songs of KWAM 1, Olamide, Portable and co. Of course, practically all attendees are mobilised with cash, despite the usual insignificant amount, and the politicians too, would prefer them, dancing to Wasiu’s “Asiwaju a se ele e keji, baba lo kan o (Asiwaju will do second term, it is his turn), instead of making pledges they know in the hearts, do not go beyond their lips. Everybody would merry, to return, in four years. On election day, it is cash and carry. Everybody knows.
You ask how this concerns OAU’s palava. For those who know the genesis of the leadership and succession crisis, what has been on, and a part of it, playing out now, is almost exactly the Nigerian demon-crazy scenario, painted above. The missing aspect is that the Ife contingent, both on the campus and outside, is just waking up to the reality that the Professors making promises of abundant land–which common sense should dictate can’t be touched without Abuja’s approval–and enthronement of a son-of-the-soil in Professor Rufus Adedoyin, are not better than the desperate self-canonized “change” agents, fouling the power corridors in Nigeria today.
Late strongman of Ibadan politics, Lamidi Adedibu had too many incredulous stories about his politics, living after him. One of such hard-to-believe stories is him reportedly asking an aspiring politician seeking his support, if he could lie and still swear, using Quran. The man, believed to be a former governor now, was reportedly stunned. At least, Adedibu was unabashed about his trademark, better than those forming pious now. Giving what is playing out at OAU today, Adedibu, would be deemed more honourable than many Professors in the leadership rat race. The institution may even be garlanding someone who could become a felon soon. Trust America. When they have opportunities of using elements from underdeveloped countries–that is where Nigeria has now receded–to shine, they go all out. The probe report indicting a senior Professor in the race for the throne, over alleged embezzled grant, should be well-settled, before anyone is worn the crown. Throwing the report away or overturning it at a nocturnal parapo (gathering) won’t make it go away. If the issue, should return when the fellow is up, the university community, may not live down, the optical damage. A stitch in time.
Coming to specifics. Beyond land matter and other allegedly promised goodies, the main grouse of Ife people against the outgoing VC, is his alleged dumping of their own for Professor Bamire. Did Professor Ogunbodede actually make them such a promise, in exchange for support, during his struggle for the position? Since the Ife indigenes, who understandably dominate the non-academic staff of the university, do not have voting power–and not even the academic staff from the town–, the question is what kind of support did they provide when Ogunbodede was aspiring, for him, to make them a favourable succession promise? Was the support the invasion of the office of then Vice Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole? Do we now say Karma has come with the kept cane used in flogging the older wife?
With the way their friendship and brotherly “love” ended immediately the contest of 2011, was won and lost, it is obvious that Ogunbodede wasn’t gracious in his defeat to Omole, when both vied. Well, it could also be argued Omole too, wasn’t magnanimous enough in victory, towards his “adopted” younger brother and colleague. Maybe, he should have found a way of keeping him close on campus, instead of allowing him almost a four-year hiatus in South Africa. For Ogunbodede, brilliantly cruising to victory with 71% and was almost assumed the VC-elect, before Omole showed up with a monster 90% performance, it is human for the wound to be deep and the pain, searing. But it is not worth a mutiny. Que sera sera, they say. What won’t be, won’t be. Even if the outgoing VC didn’t carry himself as a crown-prince awaiting coronation in 2016 on the strength of his outstanding performance five years before–interview performance isn’t an admission to be deferred–he would still have been Vice Chancellor, since God had obviously decreed it, before he was formed.
I have gone into credible, verifiable history for unbiased peacemakers. Also, with the benefit of insight into the spreading miasma, the Ogunbodede camp will have to hold, any gotcha air-punching, over Bamire’s “victory”. Their man, even if eventually crowned the VC, may go in, as a lame duck. Here is why.
(To be continued).
N.B–Comments will be published next week.
and then