Time to let Magu go

TODAY, I’m addressing Professor Yemi Osinbajo more specifically as the most influential supporter of the muddled-Acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu and not necessarily as the Acting President. As President Muhammadu Buhari’s stand-in, regardless of how the transfer of power was couched and the intendment of the constitutional, the VP cannot unilaterally fire Magu, without exposing himself to the politics of ambition he’s strenuously tried to side-step. Ironically, the acting man in the villa holds the lever sustaining the acting man in EFCC. Does it sound like the duo bonding on the edge of the proverbial paradise?

For anyone still believing that Magu is Buhari’s man for the job, such take would border more on dodging the hurtful reality than ignorance. Lawan Daura, Buhari’s cousin and head of the president’s most potent political weapon- the DSS- shut the paradise door against Magu the first time, sat with him and the president for prayers (only God knew what the trio said in their individual supplications) and got off the prayer mat, to deliver another crushing blow on the same man, put forward by his boss and cousin, with the trio again returning to the prayer mat, hours later. Two people report to you as the C-in-C and one who is your blood, kept drawing blood from the other man and you claim to be innocent. C’mon.

A few words from Osinbajo and his corner to the effect that Magu would be preserved at whatever cost, before Buhari could take a public stand, had kept him on the job without stability. Buhari possibly kept his opinion on Magu to his chest not to be on the wrong side of public tide, but nothing suggests the president and his corner had changed their minds on what would eventually be Magu’s fate.

Since his second grief in Daura’s hands, Magu has become the face of everything wrong with the anti-corruption fight and nobody is being pretentious again about a badly-needed re-setting and re-tooling. It can be clearly seen that the Buhari’s dying baby has now been practically left on Osinbajo’s laps, to either be nursed back to life or gently lowered into its grave. Buhari’s men are no longer passionate, beating tactical retreat and leaving the professor of law and his hired colleagues like Professors Itse Sagay, Femi Odekunle and Bolaji Owasanoye to the vagaries of the almost-lost corruption battle.

Apart from their unshaken support for Magu, toeing their “master’s” posture, the professors operating under the PACAC mandate, have been calling out Buhari’s men like the president’s boy, AGF Abubakar Malami, questioning their commitment and speaking to a future anti-graft war, possibly without the “uncommitted” president’s men. When does it get messier than this?

It is a bad strategy for anti-corruption undertakers to be this divided. For Malami to hit back at the professors’ corner, the centre isn’t surely holding and since Magu is the issue, he should be resolved quickly. Can Osinbajo afford standing in Buhari’s way at a time like this? It will be sad seeing Magu go. Here was a committed instrument of terror against the tainted opposition at take-off point. He “served” diligently, breaking bones and crushing skulls. He became a hero of the Nigerian masses. Then he tried becoming his own man. At this point, Buhari’s corner took on the supposed saint-patron of the crusade and declared him a baggage. How does Osinbajo’s corner in good conscience expect such adjectival description not to become part of the issues to be reviewed in re-prioritising the crusade? Magu is damaged and vulnerable, an easy-pick and stick-meat for any kind of fight-back. Instead of bickering over an individual, the Presidency needs a united house to seek a hand of fellowship wherever. Magu is now an asset with affected value. He won’t serve much purpose again.

Like Trump, like Fayose?

The Holy Bible admonishes against being worried about tomorrow. That is the whole truth. We can plan, plot, play, plough, project, promote and pretend about 2019 presidential election but it remains a pregnancy which no X-ray can conveniently determine. In view of this, I will advise those equating Ayodele Fayose’s presidential dream to buffoonery, to “C” caution. A peep across the ocean, and slight winding back, should give a telling sign about “never say never.”

Those who laughed at billionaire Donald Trump’s perceived buffoonery in 2015 when he declared his presidential run are today tensely seeking the impeachment of President Trump!

The sight of Fayose alone, with his Oshokomole spirit and style, gets haters scrambling to bed for another round of sleep, to forget seeing him. For his hailers, the ground he walks, is blessed. Emotively-divisive personalities like him are the fitting presidential package for the nonsensical 21st century politics. You want to ask why Ireland, a predominantly Christian country would elect an Indian atheist who is also openly gay, as prime minister? Hasn’t politics gone bunkers!

Emotions are running riot in the land because real hunger is here. But that would not make presidency a N100 roasted corn with Okpa combo. Trump had business successes to flaunt though he was undeniably guided by The Unseen Hand. What is Fayose bringing to the table for Nigerians? Definitely, not his scathing criticism of the current administration, which Nigerians needed nobody’s verdict, to judge. Ekiti would have to be the model state, outstandingly different from its other low-income generating colleagues. His outrageous courage would be an asset and his politically-incorrect posture would make a good case for him with hardliners. But he must be seen as a doer and not just a talker. If indeed is serious about shoving Buhari and APC aside, he should by now be showcasing ground-breaking dividends and his chart for a sustainable future. Fayose can be president and not in EFCC cell or Kuje prison, as being wished by his haters. He must be seen and taken seriously and not just making a wish after an enjoyable pounded yam and bush meat, washed with emu ogidi (undiluted palm-wine) His first serious act will be a decision between the aborted first governorship term and Buhari’s job.