''The cities of Daura -President Muhammadu Buhari’s home town, Kano - his political base, and Kaduna -where he has a home, and where the aircraft that brought him from London landed early Friday, March 10, as well as other parts of the North saw the people trooping out to jubilate and thank God for his safe return. I noticed that there was no such jubilation in the entire South West, the East, the Middle Belt and the South South. This is understandable.
Too many cynics and mischief-makers in these other parts of the country had expected the worst and they had been busy promoting the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as a better man in the President’s seat. The manner in which President Buhari’s absence from the country seemed to have divided the country emotionally is perhaps one of the saddest outcomes of that experience. It was the longest period any sitting President in Nigeria would stay away from office. But the really sad news is that it again projected the ethnic differences within the country.
The fact that Buhari’s absence was due to illness raised anxieties on all fronts about the economy and the country’s political prospects. Whereas President Buhari had dutifully and lawfully excused himself and delegated power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who became Acting President, this created fresh and troubling problems on the political front. Mischief-makers began to promote Osinbajo: comments appeared in the social and traditional media, praising every step he took while his boss was away.
Meanwhile, his boss received more bashing than was the case at any other time since he assumed office. Whoever managed or instigated that mischievous media messaging process did Osinbajo a bad turn. One of the golden rules of power is this: Never outshine the master! It is in fact the first law of power.
While Buhari was away, Osinbajo did, wittingly or unwittingly, and how serious that was became obvious when a Buhari aide had to inform Nigerians that there is a single Presidency and that Osinbajo, as Acting President took instructions from his boss in London. It was a sorry moment, with the President’s men trying to pull back the Acting President’s men, and struggling so hard to preserve the President’s image and hold on to power.
This is why Sai Baba’s return is a game changer, and it probably explains why his kinsmen trooped onto the streets in joy. I wouldn’t know if he has returned against doctor’s advice, but we all know that he may still have to go to back to London for further tests as he himself has announced in a statement, but coming back at this time is a deft political move. Things were beginning to get so bad, power was beginning to slip out of Buhari’s hands. As the Osinbajo persona gained traction, Buhari’s ratings further nosedived. When Buhari arrived this morning, he changed the narrative. And watch every step that he took: he met with the Executive Council of the Federation: a smart way of re-asserting control. He shook hands with some Governors.
He also issued a statement, which he personally signed. Within a few hours of his return, he took steps that left no one in doubt that he intends to remain in charge. I have seen power-game upfront at the highest level. Nobody should be deceived. If there is any cabal in that Aso Villa at this time, its members must be walking with a special bounce. There was even a smiling competition among Buhari’s men in the Villa today. Look at the photos. Some people smiled so much if their teeth had fallen off in the process, they would have gladly attributed it to occupational hazard.
One of the laws of power is that you don’t take power and then allow other people to seize the advantages. Buhari’s return has served one strong purpose: to hold power and keep it where it belongs. But in another strategic move, the man of power has made it clear that his Vice President will continue to act while he recuperates. That is brilliant: Looks like these guys in the Villa are beginning to learn how to play chess. With Buhari inside the Villa, even for just two weeks, before he returns to London if he does, he would have enough time to change the calculus of power, including the traffic that may have built up in another direction in his absence.
But Sai Baba don spoil business for prayer warriors oh! I am actually wondering why I did not listen to those friends who advised that we should also organize a get-well prayer session for Buhari. You know-you get-you-understand what I mean…that kind of prayer session that is an investment, with a well-thought-out proposal. You get sponsors, make some money on God’s behalf, publicise the prayer programme so well every important Government official will notice.
I thought this was thoroughly opportunistic, making money and enjoying privileges off another man’s illness! But may be when Baba goes back to London, I will weigh the options differently. More so as I can see with my own eyes that those prayers may have worked. Buhari’s return, in this heavily spiritual country, is probably clear evidence that God answers prayers! And let us not blame those who think so, because there are indeed people in this same country who wanted Sai Baba to remain on medical exile. But at least, now that the President is back, the prayer investors and their notice-me sponsors and those whose political careers depended on the-President-phoned-me-from-London moments will get off our back.
President Buhari has told everyone who may be planning a trip to Aso Villa on a welcome-back visit to please stay off. Hi-an! Thank you, sir. Let people stay where they are, I beg, and do their work instead of trooping to Aso Villa to do eye service. And nobody should send gifts: in our tradition, when a man is recuperating, it is normal to send packs of tea (and Baba likes his tea!), cartons of milk and fruit juice and biscuits, to ease the recuperation process. I beg make una keep una tea, and other Greek gifts, Baba no want. And I think people should be told not to place any adverts in the newspapers welcoming President Buhari back to Nigeria.
The man I sympathise with is Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He will now have to tone down, roll back and generally stay in the shadows, even with his boss saying he can carry on while he is still recuperating. How can he carry on when the boss is back and on his feet? Can he possibly bear the title of Acting President when the President is back in the Villa? He and his team would have to do a quick re-set, both inside the Villa and in the media. Right now, I do not envy them…as they manage the banana peels of power.
And now that President Buhari is back, it would be most appropriate to draw his attention to many things that happened in his absence. Baba, while you were away…some Ministers were busy making noise, some Nigerians were busy wailing, some of them said you…you… the recession got worse, the Naira effectively became a yo-yo, one actress left her husband and started grumbling about STD, one house-boy in Big Brother Naija tried to get fresh with TBoss and got booted out, there was two- fighting in the PDP…No, I think I should let you enjoy your first day back home in 50 days. Here is a Yoruba song, which the wailers of the South West refused to sing to welcome you back. Enjoy it:
Kabo o o, kaa-aa-bo.
Kaaabo ooo, kaabo
Sai baba to t’ajo de o,
Kaa bo o
Baba wa to t’ajo de o, kaabo
I conclude: The fire next time…''
BY REUBEN ABATI
Nice write up Reuben....Let me also use this time to shame those Laughing at the President's current photos or using them for funny memes or enlarging them on their social media timelines for others to laugh..Shame on you..
He is sick and recovering and you are healthy and look good so you laugh at him?Hello?.....Stop right now before God humbles you!
That said,I think the Villa is JINXED.
I pray God heals him. I wish he could just step down and go relax. This load of a country is just too much for him at his age
ReplyDeleteLet him do the right thing and resign. Stella please give us a break. Y won't people laugh. If it's that serious let him resign it's that simple and stop playing with our lives and the future of our children. Hian! Please
DeleteOK I read it this time. Not far from the truth Oga Reuben. Apt analysis of the current situation with Osibajo a his principal.
DeletePeople were merely trying to instigate a rivalry btw them but it won't work.
Stella let them continue to mock the man na. They think everything is a joke. Heartless idiots
Bubu haters will just keep on hating.*tongue out
ReplyDeleteWhether or not I agree with Abati is a different story. What is sure however is that he's a pretty good writer. Sai Abati!😂😂😂
DeleteAbati should goan sit down joor.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing good in his eyes in any move taken by this administration.
Even if the little Osinbajo did this time is all we get from this administration, he has etched his name in gold.
Ur right , would have read half of the article if I knew that Ruben was the author , shameless man
DeleteToo long abeg.......
ReplyDeleteIf na 10-page WNB na, u will read to the end. Okwa ya?
DeleteMrs Dickson
Stella rueben said before in one of his write up that there is a spiritual problem in the villa.the next president should get a strong man of God to cleanse the villa
ReplyDeleteThe villa has no spiritual problem in my opinion. These man are ill but still fight to become presidents but it's only a matter of time before the illness becomes clear for all to see. There's nothing funny in someone being very ill....but I do think there's a hidden agenda for someone to take over power knowing they may not be able to fulfill their obligations.
DeleteI did not read, scrolled down to confirm my suspicion. Weldon Reuben!!!
ReplyDeleteYou would have enjoyed it. It's an interesting and funny read.
DeleteAbati... fantastic write up as usual!!!
ReplyDeleteBwahahahahahahahaahaha
ReplyDeleteReuben....... master of words. I love this man.
This is an idiotic article
ReplyDeleteWhat is brilliant about this article?
ReplyDelete"Some people smiled so much if their teeth had fallen off in the process, they would have gladly attributed it to occupational hazard."😁😁 Beautiful write up by Abati
ReplyDeleteI pray his health stabilise well and it's not easy when sickness hits on the body
ReplyDeleteNo jinx Stella.
ReplyDeleteThis guys were sick before they contested.
You hit the nail in the head. First Yar ardua now Buhari. They want they power shift to the North by all means! I still wish Buhari good health though...looks like he's been through a lot!
DeleteYoungman senior broda well done! Reuben article is alwys lenghty as usual! I tink dat villa shd be spiritual cleansed!ders sometin demonic roaming around dat villa! Bubu pls get well soon!it is well wit ur soul!
ReplyDeleteGood writeup... I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWalahi! Abati is a clawn
ReplyDeleteFunny and interesting write up.
ReplyDeleteAll we want is a better nigeria,so all these theories, rumour mongering and rest has got to stop. Quick recovery to Mr president, good job to osibanjo . God bless nigeria.
ReplyDeleteI feel you Mr Abati, Bibi is the game changer!
ReplyDeleteKrix signing out via iPhone 7+
Enjoyed the article as always. Egbon Reuben, carry go jare.
ReplyDeleteChai this is my first time reading Rueben Abatis article and i must confess i enjoyed every bit of it. Stella why do i think Sir Rueben is a bv?
ReplyDelete*hangs leg on the wall*
That one is sure now. Abati visits this blog. Hi, Mr Reuben👋👋
DeleteToo long to read abeg
ReplyDeleteI take offence to abati calling kemen houseboy.....we know he called him that because he is from akwa ibom state. Be advised Abati ....not nice at all...we should have griwb past that as a nation. Do u like being refered to as a 'Yoruba Demon' ? Surely not ....
ReplyDeleteHe's not Yoruba
DeleteStill can't feel osibanjo's waves. Food stuff is still expensive. Any govt dat can't feed and provide security to its citizens is a failed govt. And this administration has failed us.
ReplyDeleteGood governance is when your citizens can eat, access cheap healthcare, go about their biz without fear, get quality education. Just abt d basic needs of man. Nigeria hasn't gotten to that part, unfortunately this administration has taken us 5 steps behind what we used to be as a nation.
The tribal divide we see now is nothing to write home about.
Nice write-up by Abati.... but he omitted key sentences made by Bubu that confirms his trust in VP and I think a lot of people missed that as well.... power dynamics has changed in the villa and people will see that in no time
ReplyDeleteAunty Stella you should have indicated from the onset the writer was Abati I would never have clicked on it he is yesterday's man.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteIts very obvious he can't handle power with these throes of illness going and coming, he should simply resign.
ReplyDelete