POLITICAL SLAVES

Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu had it hot with Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo. Accusations were raised. Counter accusations were thrown in return. The two elephants fought while the political slaves and innocent Lagosians suffered. Obasanjo as president explored the power at his disposal to bite hard on Tinubu - allocations to Lagos State localties were ceased; newly-created local governments (which were later changed to local councils) were disapproved. The Lagos State Government was greatly pinned to succumb to pressure. But the governor - Bola Tinubu - was rather resilient, of course, at the expense of his led citizens.
Various measures were swiftly put in place to raise government's revenue base to mend the hole and mitigate the damage. Local governments suffered usurpation of revenue powers. They were prevailed upon by state government's veto and superiority.

Obasanjo used Senator Seye Ogunlewe - his Works Minister and Lagosian - to hit harder on Tinubu. As a result, skirmish ensued between the Federal Road Management Agency (FERMA) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) over authority on federal and state roads. Ogunlewe and Tinubu traded words like loose rivalling women would do. Obasanjo with Ogunlewe fought Tinubu as though they would be enemies forever. But Lo and behold, they became friends in the wake of the 2015 elections. Tinubu who was that tormented visited Obasanjo in his Abeokuta residence wooing him to their new party - the APC. Unbelievable!

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro had it tough with Tinubu having had a deepened political symbiotism together. They were set apart when political interests differed. They fought hard as though they would no more fraternise. A few months ago, Obanikoro announced his return to his boss. He cross-carpeted to the APC - the party he once described as failure. That's Nigeria's game of politics.

It will be no surprise if the most unbridled governor in the country - Ayodele Fayose - takes a walk out into the APC despite his pathological garrulousness on Mr President. It's Nigeria. Such is no aberration. It's a norm.

Obasanjo who anointed Jonathan to ascend to presidency turned out to be his enemy when they were no more on the same political page. He accorded President Buhari his support against his anointed son in the wake of the last presidential election. He tore his PDP-membership card in the open and tactically lent his support to Mr General. Obasanjo who once told the world that Buhari was the messiah Nigerians had been waiting for suddenly changed the song to a new dance when political interests no more align. I will not be moved a bit if Buhari and Obasanjo are seen dine in the same plate and wine in the same cup with the same cutlery any time soon. It's Nigeria.

While the aforementioned rifts were on, many people lost their lives and some injured in the name of loyalty and support for their gladiators. These are people I call political slaves - idiots, nitwits, schmucks, lunatics etc.

They lost their lives in defence of people that will later share love and affection. They became half-bodied for those whose fracas is temporary. No permanent friend nor permanent enemy in politics. What is permanent is the interest the actors have got to achieve for the period of the fight.

BY
SANNI KAY. YUSUF
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