Monkey Wear Shoe, He Think Say He Be Fine Boy
By Sulaiman Onimago
This publication is inspired by Beautiful Nubia's track with the above title, from his album titled "Tales from a small room." He said on the track that "monkey wear shoe, he think say he be fine boy!" Abdulrahman is Governor, he thinks he is admirable and a darling son of Ilorin, simply because he is Governor.
He sanctioned a campaign of calumny against Saraki via his CPS, Rafiu Ajakaye; and one wonders what Saraki said that was out of point. Is it saying none of predecessors, himself and immediate successor did not demolish any building in Ilorin during their administrations? That is a matter of fact, all demolitions enlisted by Ajakaye only happened in his imagination, in his head, and I am curious on what goes on in that head, is it only full of mischief and distortion? Because it is becoming too much these days!
The Governor went on a brutal campaign of labeling events that were not triggered by Saraki or politics on him, such as the Idi-Ape incident. I have searched Saraki's pocket to see if I will find the Presidential Lodge CPS to Abdulrahman claimed he took over, it is still in possession of the State Government. I am surprised I didn't see "Shonga Farm" in the bed of lies that was laid for the public. It seems they are now sieving the propaganda, and deploying the ones they consider will be effective and stir emotions.
Saraki raised a very vital point in his statement, he said there is information that where his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki is interred (buried) is the next target for demolition exercise of this vindictive and destructive administration we have in the State. Ajakaye did not address this, before going on a destructive campaign that could unsettle Ilorin.
The same Saraki warned on using fear as tactics to control the people, threatening elites and people the Governor believes are not on the same page with him, he further admonished and advised him that peaceful co-existence within Ilorin is the responsibility of the Governor, like all other sons and daughters of Ilorin.
Did Saraki demolish Abdulrahman father's house despite his very littered and limited legacy in Ilorin? How come Abdulrahman does not have regard or respect for anyone or the Emirate, and pushes on with his destructive and vindictive politics? Bukola Saraki who is a two term former Governor of the State, former Chairman of NGF which Abdulrahman now occupies, President of Nigeria's 8th Senate, former Turaki and incumbent Waziri of Ilorin Emirate, first son of his family cannot talk on happenings in Ilorin and things that have affected his family via the lack of direction of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq? If Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is losing focus, definitely Saraki can point him towards the right direction. It is left to the Governor to take or reject the advice, there is no harm in offering it, but Abdulrahman does not like it, be it Saraki or anyone else for that matter.
The Governor and his band of aides, who are not any different from bandits terrorizing the media space, and spinning narratives have thrown caution into the wind, activating dangerous campaign against Saraki, without bearing in mind the collective effect it will have on Ilorin, and descendants of various households, they are trying everything to ignite a non-existent feud between the Sarakis and Lawals, whose descendants have no problem with each other; but Abdulrahman have with both.
It is nobody's fault that his father; AGF Abdulrazaq is a man of limited legacy in Ilorin Emirate, who exists faintly in people's memory, just like Abdulrahman will be after he leaves government. Like his father who didn't utilise his opportunity to make enviable/notable contributions to the city, Abdulrahman is embarking on the same path. Rather than building a lasting legacy in Ilorin, and Kwara State at large, he is being petty, incompetent and fighting allies and enemies. He simply cannot co-exist, he does not know how to!
Abdulrahman cares very little about the cultural physics and social fabrics of Ilorin, and does not mind exploiting any available crack; whether it sabotages our collective existence as people or not; as long as it serves his agenda. Everyone knows the Idi-Ape issue was a traditional issue, it was not a Saraki thing, and security were deployed to restore order during the violent era; to prevent further escalation.
It is Abdulrahman and his bandits that understand the vocation they embarked on, even when the people from the area have moved on and put the ugly incident behind them. Afterall, Ilorin is the last thing on Abdulrahman's mind, doesn't he sit outside of the Central Mosque posturing as humble during the early days of his government? Whenever Bukola Saraki returns home and receives cheers from people after praying inside the Mosque, Abdulrahman started finding his way, and fought over seating arrangement; and Saraki has continued to act as the bigger person, by avoiding, sacrificing, compromising and tolerating where necessary. When will Abdulrahman reciprocate for the sake of Ilorin?
Records have shown that Abdulrahman lied through the mouth of his CPS by claiming Dr. Bukola Saraki demolished the family house of his predecessor when he was Governor, a pure and flat lie. Is this Governor trying to misinform the new generation or daring those that are alive and still custodian of events within Ilorin? When did the demolition take place, and what justification was presented to demolish the family house? Saraki didn't need to lie about encroachment or that the family house was built on government path or violates urban planning.
They can visit Idi-Ape and ask. What has Abdulrahman done for Idi-Ape itself since coming on board, other than borrowing them when it is time to swindle credibility? There are no words for his CPS, Rafiu Ajakaye who penned the publication, he is not from Ilorin. Isn't he from Ifelodun? it is the principal that should have cautioned him. What more will make an opportunistic outsider like Ajakaye happy; other than an opportunity to take a dig and unsettle at Ilorin via his mischievous publication?
This Governor, this monkey with a shoe thinks he can use Late Former Governor Lawal as justification for his atrocities, what he did in his first term that even the children of the late Governor were lost on how well the Governor uses the name of their father to solicit legitimacy from people of Ilorin. What did Saraki say that was beyond his mouth, that this monkey we have as Governor should use his shoe to work rather than posing as a fine boy? Or his crime is empathising with Moshood Mustapha whose investment was demolished, with just three hours of notice?
Abdulrahman either demolishes very early in the morning or late in the night; as a wicked and sly person moves. People outside of the State saw the video of Hon. MM and the after-picture(s) of the demolition. They know what we have in Kwara is not a Governor, but a monkey with fine shoe, what does he do with the NGF Chairman position other flaunting it as a title?
Lastly, the citizens must be careful, and ensure that the mischief of Ajakaye does not erode their attention from the demolition of Crystal Complex, a property of Hon. Moshood Mustapha; which is the core issue, not the statement of Dr. Bukola Saraki. The Government of Abdulrahman is merely trying to drive attention away by making it about Saraki, it is not about him. It is their nature to distract public attention from issues, same was deployed during the Kwara Hotel saga, we must not lose to focus.
Àgbà ọmọ àsè bí mọjèsin
(An adult acting like a child)
Ìgbà kàn ò lọ bi òréré
(No era lasts forever)
Ọsàn bá ọ wí, ò lò nígbọ
(Afternoon talked to you, you said you won't listen)
Àlẹ bà ẹ sọ, ò lẹnu rẹ rún....
(Night spoke with you, but you said it's mouth is smelling)
"Monkey wear shoe, he think say he be fine boy!"
Continue! May God hold Ilorin together, you too shall pass.
Sulaiman Onimago writes from Ilorin, Kwara State Capital
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