By Mohammed Bello Doka.
The 2023 general election has come and gone, winners and losers have emerged yet some memories do leave a sour test on the tongue of observers, pundits, and even onlookers.
Alliance and counter alliances have been made as characteristics of any power play, but the most troubling of all the happenings is the bonds severed, trusts betrayed and the lifelong bonds of friendship cut off at the altar of politics in what can only be described as flirting moments.
Men do funny things in the quest of political power, no wonder the wise sages opine thus" absolute power corrupts absolutely. “ Others hold thus, " To know the true color of man give him power.”
As characteristics of every power play, there is always a central character, call him the boss, the godfather, the king, the leader or whatever. But everything revolves around such a personality, all and everything can be done to please him or her, each and every one owes their very position, powers, and status to such personality. Loyalty has always been the watchword while dealing with such personality, and in most cases 99% is never enough, loyalty is expected 100% in most cases such loyalty is well deserved and can be denied too.
Nonetheless, power is also known to be a game of constant duplicity where assumed loyalty always takes the place of real and absolute loyalty. Often most loyalists fail when tested, reason why former Lagos state governor Mr. Fasola prays thus" may our loyalty never be tested.”
This brings us to our topic of discourse, Professor Yemi Osibanjo the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who once confessed openly to have owned every to he had to the then APC leader and the current President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Babachir Lawal who once told a congregation of his church members that if not for a man who is neither from his tribe nor religion that was Asiwaju He (Babachir) could have never smelled the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who has in many fora professed undying love and loyalty to a man he said was a political father to him teamed up together to harken to the melodious tune of the siren.
It may interest us to dig a little dipper as to who were the sirens and how does their songs' rhythm in comparison to the treacherous act of betrayal of a political benefactor on the balcony of power.
The Sirens are a Greco-Roman mythical creatures, women whom legends says can transform themselves into gorgeous women that can only be resisted by men of strongest courage and character.
The Siren also have a very tempting voice and sang sweet melody to capture the attention of me who journeyed in the deepest, farthest and the darkest part of the ocean /sea.
The Sirens reside in a peculiar place in the ocean and tempt men to a promiscuous life of endless pleasure, when in reality they offer nothing but led men to eternal damnation.
Now consider the trio who are the subject of our preponderance as journey men on a voyage in the sea who were tempted to abandon their holy crusade to a preconceived destination to oblivion courtesy of the call of the sirens.
Prof. Yemi Osibanjo and Rauf Aregbesola abandon their journey for a promised life of promiscuity and pleasure promised by the sirens of Aso rock, who eventually delivered nothing but eternal damnation.
The same could be said of Lawal Babachir who harken to the song of the Sirens of religious charlatans and, at the end of the day, abandon his holy crusade at the altar of ethno religious sentiment.
Today Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu their benefactor is the commander in chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A man who did everything to shape their career whom they yet abandon at the most critical moment of his life, yet he triumphs to success absent their support.
A vindication and indication that they have added no value at all to that man, and they owe every power they brag to have to that same man they chose to betray.
This should serve as a lesson to all and sundry, never bite the fingers that fed you. Always repay good with kindness and never outshine the master.
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