Bayo Adeyinka

By Bayo Adeyinka

When I read online what Governor Akin Ambode said at his World Press Conference, three things came to my mind: the passage in the Holy Scriptures where Samson was captured, his eyes plucked out and he became a sport to his captors. The second thing was Abass Obesere’s song, ‘Egungun be careful’. The third was that I rushed to Wikipedia to check Ambode’s profile.

Up till now, I’ve refrained from joining the discussion on how Akin Ambode was told he won’t get a second-term ticket and all the issues surrounding it. I’ve read so many comments but I feel most people are guided by sentiments rather than logic. I’ve not seen any CEO of any State humiliated in such a manner before. Different people turned him into a sport including a musician. He was stripped naked in the market place and turned into a punching bag.

Governor Ambode

The most dangerous person to fight is the person whose back is already against the wall and who believes he has nothing to lose. Beware of him. Ambode’s back is against the wall. That is why his issue must be approached with caution. He has already lost everything so there is nothing more to lose. With the Press Conference, I honestly don’t think he’s interested in any second-term ticket again. His speech says as much. He is now like a bull in a china shop. You underrate such a man at your peril. And this is where it gets interesting. Like Samson in Judges 16: 29-30 (KJV), we read that “Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life”. Ambode can play the Samson option. He won’t be a beneficiary neither will anyone else within the structure. I’ve found out that in power games like this, the most dangerous people to spar with are your own ‘sons’. They grew up with you and know you inside out. When sons decide to spar with their fathers, the fathers are toast- except God helps them. Ask David about Absalom. Ask Olusola Saraki about Bukola.

In his hand is the control lever of the biggest state in Nigeria. Here is a man who worked through the system for 27 years and rose to the zenith of his career, having worked as Council Treasurer, Auditor, Permanent Secretary and Accountant General for 6 years. Ambode is no fool. He threw chinks at the armour of respected poster boy, Babatunde Raji Fashola at the inception of his administration. He had to be restrained then and till date, BRF still carries those scars. Ambode may not have the gift of the garb but he is an extremely intelligent individual. He has worked with so many Governors including Bola Ahmed Tinubu and he became one himself.

I urge caution from every side. This situation is an ill-wind that will blow no one any good. The big masquerade has to be careful. The express way is full of danger. He can’t afford to get into the ring with Ambode. Does he think Ambode would have addressed that Press Conference without due consultations? Who is playing the drums for him that is making his waterfly erupt in a dance? Think. The big masquerade may just have feet of clay. That is why he must be careful of taking a plunge in the river. And like my egbon Kehinde Ayoola J P wrote, “When a blind man threatens to stone a man with two eyes, let the two-eyed man beware. The blind man has a stone in his pocket already”!

So I’m here playing that Obesere blockbuster in my head….

Egungun be careful
Na express you dey go
Moto go jam you
Me I don tell you…