By Remi Oyeyemi
I have just read the comments of Gov. Gboyega Oyetola in the media that those who are seeking independent Oòduà and Biafra Nations are "unserious.".The interview as reported was granted to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
I concede that once in a while, usually circumspect persons could get confused and contused. Unconsciously, he or she could and would be operating from a mutilated and lacerated prism. With his clarity so clobbered, his coherence caustically crippled, his lucidity would be satanically lashed he is not in the right frame of mind. When a person is in that psychologically challenged situation, it would be normal for such a person to be victimized by his pummeled mind.
I am not unaware of Gov. Gboyega Oyetola's political and biological aprons to the mercantilist caged "Lion of Bourdillon." The man who has spearheaded the desolation and destitution of the Yoruba Nation. The man whose only God is money regardless of how that money was accumulated. The man who cares nothing about the people he claims to lead, except his cronies, henchmen and hatchet men. The man who would be happy if all his Yoruba people were incinerated as long as his selfish, egoistic and warped desires were gratified. Yes, I am not unaware.
But I had expected a more candid rumination, to foster a coagulation and formulation of a clear idea and the expression of such with a sense of responsibility that would convey a modicum of reasonability over the obvious continuous ruination of the Yoruba Nation, its people's lives and civilization by the system of which Gov. Oyetola is a beneficiary. Gov. Oyetola is intelligent enough to know that any sensible group of people would have to do something about such a situation. To describe people who found themselves in such parlous situation and doing something about it, as "unserious" portrays him as a jester.
It is possible that out of loyalty, he would say one or two things once in a while to advance the course (not the cause) of his notorious uncle's political aspiration and agenda. Very possible. And it should be expected. But with the kind of perception he has created for his personality, Gov. Oyetola is obliged to be more circumspect and deeper than his uncle. This is because, eventually, each would be held responsible and accountable for his actions. And utterances. Gov. Oyetola does not want "Where are the cows?" kind of moment to be on his records.
Gov. Oyetola has come across as someone who is a little deep and not given to frivolous expressions. But this issue of an independent Oòduà Nation seems to have escaped him. His sensitivity eloped from him at that moment he was making that disrespectful statement. He was abandoned at such a critical moment by insight and circumspection. He was found repugnant by caution and restraint.
For someone deemed to be sensitive to the feelings of the critical mass, to characterize those fighting oppression, enslavement and exploitation and insecurity in their land as "unserious" casts him in a very egregious and scandalous light. It undercuts his image as a thoughtful, serious-minded, sensitive and broadminded person. He should have shown more understanding of the causal variables for such agitation after which he could still extrapolated on what he thought would be a better way to resolve the concerns of those freedom fighters.
As someone who is a beneficiary of the obnoxious status quo that we seek to change eventually, it would not be unexpected of him to stand where is standing. But our forefathers had insisted "Bí a bá rán ni n'ísé erú, àá fi jé t'omo." His comments were unsavoury and insensitive.
It is self-evident that he has not the kind of breath and depth required to understand the undercurrents for the demand for an independent Oòduà Nation. Or on the other hand, he has not had the time to give thoughts to it. May be he had an understanding of the dynamics but chooses to be dismissive and ignore them. But how that could happen to a person like Gov. Oyetola in view of these perilous times? It beats one's imagination.
Gov. Oyetolaone "misjived", it means he also misfired.
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it." - John F. Kennedy
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