"Nobody knows how I 'single-handedly' picked Ambode"
~Oba of Lagos
As a kid growing up in Lagos, years ago...one of the tenets that I grew up learning concerning the traditional institution of the Oba or king is the idea that Oba's are not questioned. So, when an Oba passes a decree of any kind, his subjects would respond with a chant of 'k-a-b-i-y-e-s-i-!!!' while prostrating flat on the ground with their tummies as a show of respect.
Now, for those who do not know, the word 'kabiyesi' is an abridged form of a yoruba sentence which literally means, 'no one dares to question you.' So, when the Oba passes such decrees, his audacity is exponentially affirmed with those words, 'no one dares to question you' or 'kabiyesi' by his subjects. Part of the fable behind this fear-ladden response is well entrenched in the idea that the Oba is backed up by the gods of the land, who will not fail to unleash terror on any dissident voice.
So, for some of my friends who are wondering what it was that could have been playing on the psyche of the Oba of Lagos that could have elicited his less than charitable renditions on those Igbos in Lagos who may choose to vote against APC's Ambode for the singular reason that Mr Jimi Agbaje of the PDP might have impressed them more with his sense of purpose, articulation of points and a somewhat better cosmopolitan mindset, please kindly be informed that the Oba just chose for a moment to forget that he is now operating within a democratic culture and system where 'hate-talks' are scrutinized to high heavens.
I don't know if the Oba accentuated that frail-attitude with a dose of 'medicinal stimulants' like one of my Facebook friends implied. But what is note-worthy in his monarchical outburst is not just the threat against the Igbos, but the actual insult on the sensibilities of the highly cerebral people of Lagos state when the Oba said:
"Nobody knows how I 'single-handedly' picked Ambode."
Now, within those words is 'a concentrated dose of intellectual abuse' on those Lagosians who would want to think that they still have a voice with their votes! Kindly take note that the Oba did not say that he was canvassing for votes for Ambode, he did not say that he was supporting Ambode, he did not say that he feels that Ambode is good enough. He actually made these three statements: "I single handedly picked Ambode." And just before I could organize my thoughts, he released this second and third ones: "I have told Jimi Agbaje who is my blood relation that he cannot be the Governor of Lagos state for now" And the Oba capped it up with this one: "I am not begging anybody o!"
Expectedly those words were greeted with a resounding 'kabiyesi' or 'no one dares to question you' followed by an applause by the immediate onlookers.
But may I remind the kabiyesi and his die-hard apologists that some enlightened minds who believe in democratic norms, including those Yorubas who are in the PDP, and those who do not belong to any party, plus the Igbos who know that the curse-words of the Oba on them is like 'a jesters-game' in the realm of the spirit that they have more questions to answer between now and Saturday, April 11, 2015 when the governorship elections would take place. They will answer the question of why the Office of the Oba's palace had to begin with lying to the public that the Oba did not say so until the audio and video clips of the Oba showcased him in his full elements. Not only that, they will also do more than Prof. Pat Utomi is trying to come up with when he alluded to the observation that the Oba was merely joking. Joke? Well, it may just be that the Prof. never watched the video clip.
So, having said all that, we must still remind ourselves that the submissions of the Oba cannot be typical of the good people of Yoruba-land whose sense of factual analysis can be relied upon when the chips are down. And for the sake of those ones whom we have had cause to interact with all these years both as friends, schoolmates, acquaintances and colleagues that we know that your conscience will always be your guide when you settle down with your PVC to vote, knowing that the two gentlemen are not just competent but also full-blooded Yoruba men...So, vote for the better candidate, vote because you want to and not because somebody somewhere threatened you with death...Only the God of heaven has the final say-so on such matters. May God bless Nigeria.
Dr Iyke Nwambie
President, Advancement Ministries Inc. www.IykeNwambie.org
No comments:
Post a Comment