“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man that built his house upon the sand”, this is biblical sayings that ought to guide any honest seeker of truth and result especially in the continued quest for the unity of the Yoruba race. And as exemplified by an Igbo proverb “Gidi gidi bu ugwu eze” meaning that unity is strength! Then let’s add this one more for a proper understanding of what is at stake. “Kpo ahihia ka obere out ukpa”, meaning also that a stitch in time saves nine!
Time is far spent and the quest for collective unity of the Yoruba race is fast eroding because of the personal ambition of one man—the self-acclaimed lion of the fabled Ikoyi Mountains. A recent gaffe inexorably inspired by karma was again reenacted in the full glare of the surprised onlookers when during his civic responsibility in fulfilment of his party’s membership registration exercise he spelt his name Tinubu as “Tivubu!” Then another imponderable blunder: he displayed a registration form dated 6th February on the 9th of the same month—three clear days after he made the world believe that he registered!
And yet he was surrounded by supposed political allies, the same set that has so often assisted to frustrate any reasonable paradigm shift to facilitate the much sort after Yoruba unity—and consequently produce an ideology that would safeguard future generations! This coming on the heels of his deafening silence on the disguised genocide allegedly being perpetrated by some misguided elements hiding in the southern bushes and environs; against the murders, killings, it has been welcomed by a studious silence by the camp of the self-seeking political monger.
Has it not been said often that one should learn to change tactics to suit a situation? Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu probably forgot that a flea can trouble a lion more than a lion can trouble a flea! It is easy to read in between the lines; Two of Tinubu’s henchmen had come out openly to condemn the ongoing party registration and revalidation exercise—the voice speaking with the head covered! And in a volte-face reminiscent of his tragic style, he abandons them in horror to participate in the same exercise! This is how it has been from the days of the Toronto certificate denials! When the root of a tree begins to decay, it spreads to the branches. Which of those “pretenders” in the photo as displayed in the newspaper serving the interest of the Yoruba race? The same set that has denied the need for a common voice to materialize the Yoruba dream!
Let it be known that a noisy show does not imply knowledge. In the same vein, Tinubu should know that bold looks do not mean courage. Once again, Tinubu must be told what everyone knows: he cannot achieve his presidential ambition without putting his house in order. And he must do so now. There is no point fighting a lone fight. The Yoruba’s are blessed with young and enterprising youths, intelligent technocrats of repute and tested professionals.
It mustn’t be Tinubu in 1999 and the same Tinubu in 2021. It is sheer illusion for anyone to live with the impression that Tinubu, spelt as “Dinuba” by the computer alone possess the quality to run for the exalted office. “They form the large class of sentimental dreamers who never could learn to control their gift and make good use of it and they do not fit in at this time and age!” Tinubu must shelve his personal ambition and all those supporting him because of a mess of pottage must retrace their steps; the collective Yoruba’s this time must have their way!
Tinubu’s ideas would only bring about unhealthy conditions for the Yoruba race; he is like a builder who carefully constructs a house at his backyard; it looks trim and beautiful, but when erected on the actual site it stands unsteady and askew so that nobody can live in it, for the ground there is uneven and it is impossible to level it in spite of his greatest efforts and exertions and even aided by, perhaps, a fraudulent contraption like the Governing Advisory Council (GAC)! Tinubu must not repeat this mistake; the time is still ripe for him to return to the drawing table: put his house in order—or else the past will continue to haunt him.
