Death – A Failure’s Political Strategy and Dele Momodu’s Ascent to The Summit of Folly, By Joe Igbokwe

The past few weeks have witnessed a tempestuous gale of political defections – a storm so sweeping it rattled the foundations of opposition politics in Nigeria. As the wind blew in favor of Tinubu’s APC, the opposition slid helplessly into a dungeon of heartbreaks, heartaches, and hopeless despair.
We do not begrudge their frustration-laden tantrums; after all, you cannot flog a child and still demand he weeps in silence.

Those with a semblance of reason in the opposition attempted to downplay the earth-shattering maneuvers of the Jagaban – and that, perhaps, was still within the province of wisdom. For even in moments of searing pain, one must not offer his adversary the pleasure of witnessing his tears.

But when Bashorun Dele Momodu decided to add his voice to the steaming cauldron, he uttered: “Even Abacha thought he would rule forever.”
A sly suggestion that, like Abacha, Tinubu, too, could die before reaping the fruits of his political harvest.

How pathetic.
For threats of death remain the final refuge of failures, the last card of those bereft of intellect and strategy. And, irony of ironies, even Bashorun – whose life’s résumé bears little proof of monumental achievement – could himself bow out before the President he so spitefully references.

Tell me, how is the threat of death a reasonable response to superior political strategy?
Has Bashorun so completely surrendered to the inertia of failure that he now substitutes brilliance with bitterness?
And pray, how does Asiwaju’s death enrich the mediocre?

Abacha died in 1998. Did his death make Momodu President – after three failed attempts?

The first in my recollection to mock Tinubu’s health was Mr. Yinka Odumakin – and we all know how that tale concluded. Life, like the jungle, is mysterious: sometimes the wet trees fall while the dry ones stand.

Even in the most improbable event that Tinubu departs this realm, he would do so as a man of history – a Senator, a two-term Governor, a National Leader, a President, and arguably the greatest Nigerian leader since Baba Awolowo.
Whereas Bashorun, at nearly seventy, has reached the highest rung of political visibility as a vuvuzela for losers – a restless attack cricket chirping in service of perennial failure.

Recall that before the primaries, Asiwaju thundered, “Let’s go and cast the vote. If I am defeated, I will return home.”
He did not wish Osinbajo dead, nor pray Amaechi be kidnapped, nor desire Lawan’s head on a platter. He consulted, negotiated, bargained, schemed, and strategized – and the rest, as history now records, is victory.

Success is only a matter of luck – Ask any failure.

Dear Bashorun Dele,
Politics is a game of numbers, of strategy, schemes, plots, and agendas. The sharper mind always carries the day. Resorting to curses, insults, or death wishes is the mark of the vanquished, the vocabulary of failure, and the culture of the unaccomplished.

I rarely write in this tone, but sometimes, even when one repents of damaging charms, the reckless consumer will still insist on partaking.

Good evening, Bashorun.
Agba yin a dále o.
May wisdom find its way to your abode – and stay awhile.

Also Severally…

By the Legendary Joe Igbokwe