By Dele Sobowale

“To know what before us lies in daily life/ is the prime wisdom/ what is more is fume.”
John Milton, 1608-1674. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 275).

I wrote the first part of this series on Sunday, March 30, 2014. On Monday, March 31, 2014, THISDAY published a lead story alleging that a Muslim-Muslim ticket was being planned by the All Progressive Congress, APC. According to the paper, General Buhari (rtd) is proposed to be the presidential candidate, while Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, would be the Vice Presidential candidate. I smiled; because it was no news to me. First, I have been informed about the development a few days before. One of the two had visited someone in Abuja; and, he made the point that ‘ANYBODY CAN DEFEAT JONATHAN’ [capitals mine]. And on that basis, it was decided that A Muslim-Muslim ticket was safe – after all Christians voted overwhelmingly for the Abiola-Kingibe ticket. Christians, again, failed to protest, vigorously, the Buhari-Idiagbon military leadership – both of which were Muslim-Muslim teams. I had smiled when this was mentioned to me – because I expected it. Why? Let me explain. But, first, permit me to make two pertinent comments.

One, the minute anybody starts having independent thoughts, then, the person starts occupying a different space in the history of the era. Politicians and politics constitute one of the longest entries in my VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS. I must have read close to four hundred books, articles and commentaries on politicians, politics and power to distil the few essential entries. From these, I had reached a conclusion.

Politicians don’t want those they lead to think for themselves. They love the “yes-men” – those who swallow, or pretend to swallow, totally, all the few truths, the larger half-truths and also the big lies they peddle to win elections and to retain power – irrespective of political association or party. And, I made up my mind, years ago, that under no circumstances will I surrender my brains (as some of my co-columnists in various newspapers have openly done) to any politician to be used to foist falsehood on Nigerians. These days, I feel embarrassed opening some of the Political papers, when I read the stuff people I had long respected write. If the owner of the paper takes a position, you can predict what will follow on the pages on Jonathan, CONFAB, Sanusi, Okonjo-Iweala, Alison-Madueke, INEC, election results; court judgments etc. (Incidentally, I had made no comments on Oduah’ sack, Alison-Madueke, Moro etc precisely because those shouting most have ignored the matter of Lagos State Speaker’s case). Is it possible for twelve columnists, thinking independently, to arrive at the same conclusion on everything? Group-think, obviously has crept in and people just park their brains at home and wait for “pronouncements” from the LEADER. Well, God is my LEADER. I may be wrong, and, sometimes I am; but the thoughts are always my own.

Two, good old Goethe, 1749-1832, the German philosopher, had already warned me (and perhaps you also) that “It is unthinkable that wisdom should ever be popular.” (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 275). To that, late Professor J.K. Galbraith had also added that those who deal in ideas must welcome attack. So, courting popularity had never entered my head. Thus, when I set out in 2011 to place religion on the Lagos State agenda, it was deliberate. I knew, as far back as 2011, instinctively, that since “all power corrupts”, the cult of personality which was building up will lead us to the front page of THISDAY on March 31, 2014. It only came sooner than even I expected. Call it Area Boys’ street wisdom or what you will – but it was clear to me back in May 2011 that we were headed for this conflict.

As long term readers of this page would recollect, it was in May, 2011, when I got published, a three part article titled: LAGOS STATE GOVERNORSHIP: 2015 CHRISTIAN AGENDA. It was received by most Muslims as heresy; followed with curses and maledictions. And, with fear, alarm and derision by most Christians – at least the avalanche of text messages which came in, on account of Part 1 alone, proved that conclusively. I was undeterred; partly, because, not being a journalist, I had actually believed the old mantra that part of the duties of journalists was “to set the social, economic and political agenda of their era”. I was a lone voice speaking in a crowded, noisy and hostile market. Still, I was undeterred. Why?

Because, my extensive readings, before publishing the BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, had taught me never to take people at face value; and NEVER, NEVER judge a politician by what he says but by what he does. The old magicians’ trick – “the more you look, the less you see” – was first introduced by politicians since the dawn of history. Billions of dollars are disappearing in front of our eyes everywhere – and we clap for them. On my own, I patiently undertook a close study of the appointments, selections, and impositions (yes IMPOSITIONS) within the so-called Progressive movement since 1999. What I saw was so frightening that I concluded that the deliberate and unjust treatment of half the people of Lagos, based on their faith, could not, and should not be allowed to continue…

Unfortunately, we had not finished working on the Lagos agenda when the APC agenda exploded on us two weeks ago – thanks to THISDAY. At least, now,  Nigerians can see more clearly those who have brought and enthroned religion into politics. Unlike the politicians, I am not a hypocrite. I only insist that since religion IS in politics, then justice demands that there should be no discrimination against anybody. The bogey notion of MERIT should be set aside once for all. It has been used to justify imposition of people whose elections are then followed by propaganda aimed at covering up lapses. I will address that issue later on….

803-331-5473 You said it the way it is. Congrats.
803-331-5474 Tanx 4 today’s piece. Was it Uncle Dele dat asked Fani –Kayode to warn APC against one faith based  ticket for 2015?.. Leo, Ijesha

0802-842-6559 I couldn’t have agreed more with ur today’s article..Am on the same page with you. Prince O Benson

BIRTHDAY WISH
Let me now announce what will be my birthday wish. Not money; not long life (because I have broken enough records and somebody else in the Sobowale family should try to be 80). It is very simple really. I want the National Conference initiated by President Jonathan to succeed. Success is here defined as moving us significantly towards a better Nigeria. I don’t expect it to solve all our problems.

And the reason is simple. Those who think that Jonathan might obtain political mileage out of it, forget that all Nigerians will also benefit from its outcome. Those wishing political damage to Jonathan should remember that “For each folly [read failure] of their leaders, the people feel the lash.” We will not only lose N7 billion; but hope as well.