Of Iwuanyanwu’s Diatribe And Atiku, Obis Desperacy, By Tunde Abatan
There is a saying in Yorubaland that when elders are in the market, the head of the child is not supposed to bend.
There is also a proverb that says “there is no way we walk without our head shaking “.
He also participated actively during the politics of aborted third republic of military President Ibrahim Babangida.
In other words, at 82, he is qualified to be called a statesman.
But statesmanship connotes elders being able to stand ahead of the foibles of younger elements in the society so that they can acta as check of young people excesses.
He like many Igbo businessman of his ilk, has made money and had investments in Lagos.
Hence, his age and experience is expected to dignify his conduct in matters of public interest.
However, Like former President Goodluck Jonathan goofed in 2014 when he described Yorubas as charlatans, Iwuanyanwu who is older than Jonathan by at least almost two decades, last Saturday in Awka also toe the line of GEJ, throw decency to the winds when he described Yoruba as political rascals which deserves to be taught a lesson.
The rascality in Iwuanyanwu’s description wouldn’t have been taken seriously if he had not added a caveat that Yoruba and Ibo are not at war. If they are not at war, what lessons does he want to teach them that he has not outlined in the presence of their don, Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of the country?.
No matter how Obasanjo may feel about the defeat of his new ‘godson’ Peter Obi during February 25 Presidential election , calling his kinsmen political rascals is akin to collectively condemning a race and by inference sending their son to them.
Since Obasanjo was seated, Iwuanyanwu is apparently sending a strong message to the Yoruba through their son.
Not surprisingly though, Obasanjo choose to remain mute and made no response.
Ordinarily, Obasanjo’s attitude of not keeping quiet and not respond to Iwuanyanwu to some may be sign of maturity over Iwuanyanwu and in another breadth, Obasanjos failure to respond could be interpreted in Yoruba to means “a child that is sent home to go and obtain response from his elders…”Omo rele lo gbesi wa”.
Since Obasanjo is for some five years older than Iwuanyanwu, his position is that of an elder who has no one to report to at home.
If he disagrees with Iwuanyanwu, he is able to offer an instant reply.
Late Cicero of Esa Oke,Chief Bola Ige would have been a delight to watch responding to likes of Iwuanyanwu.
Again Obasanjo’s silence, may also mean that in some respect, he agree with Iwuanyanwu that conflict in Lagos, which was precipitated by Igbo’s chorus of, Lagos is No Man’s,Land’is uncalled for.
It may as well be a tacit approval of Iwuayanwu’s comment more so when he-Obasanho is a supporter of Obi. He could as well close his eyes and allow strangers spit on his head.
Though, Iwuanyanwu said there is no fight between Yoruba and Igbo ,his resolve to reply Yorubas stand to defend their land in conjunction with Igbos all over Nigeria and in Diaspora,is a war of sorts. Where the boundary of that war will be , will be explained by Iwuanyanwu since it would be fools hardy to take the war to Yoruba Lagos who had sounded a warning to Igbo over their ownership of the land.
Again, the saying in Yoruba.. the threat “don’t come to my father’s farm,will take place one day” , has been manifested by March 18 stout defence of territory by indigenous Yoruba.
The fact that Iwuanyanwu has threatened Ndigbos resolve not to leave Lagos and Nigeria because of his investments is curious. At least he has sent a message of war.
As to being compensation for assault on Ndigbo,,Iwuanyanwu may need to tell us whether such will come from Lagos government that is not involved in the crisis or the Yoruba nation one of which leader is seated not far from him.
Atiku and Obi:
For some time now, both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, two aggrieved Presidential candidates have been hustling from the street to the court to get their ‘stolen’ mandate though none of them have conceded to each other since no two persons can come first in a race.
While Obi has gone to court to change his earlier rejection of the result of the Presidential election won by Senator Bola Tinubu, Atiku has gone to the barricade organising days o protests both in the streets and National Assembly, NASS.
Surprisingly, Obi has changed the ground of his rejection thrice . While he initially claimed he has won outright, he changed his plea after viewing the result displayed on iREV by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Today, he has pleaded before the Presidential Election petition tribunal to prove Tinubu’s alleged drug dealings, cancel the election and ban Tinubu from contesting future elections.
While on that, he and Atiku have employed different tactics from sponsoring fake news and protesters who daily throng Abuja streets to get the election annulled.
Now, the question is but for desperacy, is it reasonable to be in the court and on the street at the same time.
Since the court remains the only legal way to get redress on civil matters, are the duo contemplating civil uprising should they fail to prove their case in court ?
Besides, the desperate duo, are there some interest groups bent on derailing the May 29 hand over date as alleged by the Department of state services in a statement Saturday.
By 2027, Atiku will be 80 years old while Obi will be a year short of 70.
Since APC zoning system favours rotation between North and South, it is apparent that should Tinubu spent two terms, he will definitely hand over to a Northerner.
It is quite apparent that by 2027, Atiku will be in his late 70s while his hold on the PDP is tenuous.
As for Obi, he has more bridges to build as his party the LP won in only one state and five senators. Could he still mobilise funds to run again in 2027?.
Yet, what assurance does Atiku and Obi has that annulment of the election will pave way for their emergence or they are out to destroy that one they cannot control.
History has shown that those who ignite crisis don’t always benefit from the fall out.
