~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
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