First, let me come clean. I have a thing for the FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON. It’s almost as if he can do no wrong in my eyes. He’s the reason I have come to terms with people who are crazy about Donald Trump, the same Donald Trump.
People shall always be loved or hated. No matter how bad you think a person is, there are people who would readily die for them. No matter how good a person is, there are people who would never have anything to do with them. So, please indulge me: I love Wike.
It’s one of those things I cannot explain. Let’s just say I love him because of the way he flaunts the audacity of his masculinity. The man is a man, abegi. You don’t have to search too hard nor too long to see where he stands on even the most sensitive matter.
If Wike wants something, he says he wants it. If he doesn’t want it, he says it. He doesn’t do that nonsense called body language. That’s for people with no guts.
I have seen people dragging Wike online vis-a-vis integrity. They show footages of Wike saying things which he went back on. That’s being mischievous. They ought rather to celebrate his courage.
As I see it, Wike makes a vow and most times honours his word. However, when come turns to become, Wike is man enough to play the game as soon as the other party chooses dishonour. Wike never suffers and smiles. Wike is Wike, 25 hours daily.
In many ways, I think Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON is the Donald Trump of Nigeria, of Africa. I don’t like Trump though, and never shall. But, you see Wike, I don’t like him; I love him. I get goosebumps watching him.
I consider Wike the realest politician and public servant in Nigeria, if not in Africa and the world. I love men who say the same thing, behind and in front. I love men who follow their convictions. I hate men who grumble behind but chicken out when push becomes a shove.
I hate men who die in silence. I don’t respect such men. I want nothing with them, ever. They are not worthy of their manhood -whatever that means.
That’s why Wike is my man, anytime, any day. Wike is a man you can’t ignore or take for granted if you are wise. Wike is loved by even those who hate him because they know that with him you get what you get. Wike is an open market: what you buy is what you get.
Wike is not what you ordered versus what is supplied. Wike is a constant; what you ordered is what you get. With Wike, everyone knows where he stands per time. Wike won’t run away from fighting in public only to be bitter backstage like a coward child, as most other Nigerian leaders do.
Wike is bold, courageous. Wike is dynamic, ebullient. Wike is positive energy, real. Wike is transparent, unique.
Wike holds no punches. He needs to start mentoring our next generation politicians. Nigeria shall fare better under leaders who don’t leave the people confused, every time. We have had enough of holders of the yam and the knife who complain when they should strike!
From the foregoing, and particularly as it relates to what’s unfolding in oil-rich Rivers, is this writer for the FCT Minister and therefore against his successor, Gov. Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Joseph Fubara? Well, not necessarily. You see, I am not a Rivers person. By the way, taking sides is not the cure.
Rather, the essence of this entry is to shine the light on the Wike-Fubara conundrum with a view to pointing out a few lessons we should glean therefrom. One, Gov. Fubara was Accountant General in the age of Gov. Wike -as he then was- yet upon taking over it took only four, five months for cracks, fundamental cracks, to appear in the wall of their relationship. The lesson here to never forget is that 99.99% of the closest or most trusted assistants, followers, helpees, interns, mentees, protégés and students shall bite their master once they take over. In quick succession, the second lesson is that in matters of power, if not in all endeavours of life, the most advisable thing is to do your best and finish your best so that even if an enemy succeeds you, you shall be anxious for nothing!
Seriously, Nigeria has witnessed too much betrayal in political succession for leaders to insist on choosing successors. In fact, it is now a stupid enterprise. Let the people choose who they want so they bear the consequences themselves. What sense does it even make for you to singlehanded pick a leader for a democracy when the same person is a hater waiting for the opportunity to teach you a lesson or two?
Of course, this is not one-way traffic. Predecessors too must become born again. Enough of the godfatherly meddlesomeness. They must remember that even if they put their child in office, they won’t agree to operate like robot.
The other things that drip from our snakish politicking are deep resentment and unyielding intolerance. Why is man so greedy to eat the good of his years and then crave another’s? Also, why does man accept to play ball no matter what when they know they won’t be able to take some things?
In politics Nigeriana, is it not weakness for the boss who had been played by their boy to keep shut and go home to mourn in silence?
Furthermore, one is awed by leaders’ sheer disrespect for the people on one hand and on the other their wolfish penchant for self. In Rivers, nothing in the unnecessary crisis is about or for the masses; everything is about ego, about interest, about self. The governor even had the heart to bring down the House of Assembly complex, just like that. Dear God, teach Nigerians the strength to stand up to these men and in good time get them to account not only for their tenure but also for their impunity.
Politics is a lot in this country. Too much arson, too much killings and too much lawlessness go unquestioned and unpunished. This apathy must stop, today. We cannot continue playing with fire when it has left us disfigured.
Finally, as Minister Nyesom Wike and Gov. Sim Fubara continue the hide and seek in public, both men must remember posterity. Since they would eventually sit together or severally at the end, now is the best time to rein in the imbroglio. Rivers and its people deserve far better than is being offered. It is not only stealing that attracts shame.
God bless Nigeria!
Have you passed the selflessness test?
I hope you liked our last entry. I hope you gleaned stuff from it. Above all, I hope you understand love as we discussed it.
Love is not a feeling nor a partnership. Love is not a relationship nor romance. Love is not a transaction nor some sow-now-and-reap-soon scheme.
Love is not a word nor one-off kindness. Love is not xenophobic no matter the ramifications nor all that you always thought it. Love is not a competition.
Love is contentment. Love is a way of life. Love is Christ.
Know these and know peace. Love is strength that seems weak. Love is wisdom that seems foolish.
Love is the servant-leader. Love makes you pass the number one examination of life. No one lives well who has yet passed the selflessness test.
The thing about this particular test is once passed, forever passed. Are you not a selfish person? Please flaunt the fruits here and now, or hereafter forever keep shut.
The selfish person is desperate to be the only cock to crow. Live and let live is not their life motto. They corner too much from commonwealth.
Chop alone, die alone: never forget that. Forget the initial sweetness, selfish people live and die miserable. They live behind a name even future generations want nothing with.
Their children and children’s children, tired of the shame of history, curse their stars. You who have yet passed this unique test, is this the posterity you seek? Please change today: share love always.
This season is the best for you to start because this is when Love was born. Let’s all kill selfishness, going forward. Selflessness must be the new normal!