“For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men…” – William Shakespeare
The above quote, culled from Mark Antony’s speech at Caesar’s funeral in the tragic play; Julius Caesar, aptly captures my thoughts on Easter Monday when I read quotes attributed to the Oba of Lagos. The distasteful words caught my attention and I wondered, “what an outburst from an honourable man?”
Later in the day, the social media was to come abuzz with the story and the widespread condemnation of the alleged utterances reflected the shock of the Nation at the diatribe. Unsurprisingly, many still defended him and inferred that the PDP spin masters were at it again. An honourable former Senator of the Federal Republic; Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi was one of the most vocal and even the Oba’s Palace issued a statement denying the speech.
Eventually, the audio and video evidence hit the public domain and took the steam off the vociferous advocates of the honourable man. The new line is now that it was a careless statement by an ex-policeman, as if policemen by their training were not better equipped to rein in their emotions, especially one that rose to become a distinguished Assistant Inspector General of Police. The excuse of “careless” doesn’t cut for such a person; its either he was being very sincere or he was overcome by some spirit. Therein lies the danger; for either way, he has left Lagos and indeed the whole Nation wondering whether the man they so revered, is indeed a man of honour.
I feel for the learned Executive Governor of Lagos State; Governor Babatunde Fashola, who expectedly would have issued a statement by now. The deafening silence from Alausa shows the difficult situation the honourable Oba has created for him, few days to the Gubernatorial election.
As an Igbo and a Lagosian, having lived and payed my taxes in Lagos for the past 17 years, I perfectly understand the threat and have noted the warning. Incidentally, in my eventful life, I have witnessed many of such and have always treated them the same way; with disdain.
I will go out on Saturday to vote for my candidate in the Gubernatorial election just like many others and nothing will happen. The heavens wouldn’t fall, the lagoon wouldn’t swallow anyone and the honourable man would have learnt a big lesson, knowing that he singlehandedly dented the robust campaign of his preferred candidate and buoyed the candidature of the one with the bold ideas.
My sentiments exactly.. it’s quite a Shame. I was a bit skeptical about going out this weekend to vote after my 8hrs wait in the sun and rain last time out, but I’m eager now to go vote. I’m already looking for a nice portion of the lagoon to make my new abode. Just in case.
Once again you have hit the nail on the head. Comments like the one made by the Oba should not be swept under the rug for he spoke out of the abundance of his heart.
Apologies from him and his camp will not be sufficient to correct the damage he has caused by his ill-advised comments.
Again our so called fathers fail us again, hopefully we will again rise above them and do the right thing.
The statement from the Oba of Lagos can at best be described as the babbling of a drunkard, caught up in delusion and tribal hatred of a people whom will always prove themselves a success in whatever circumstance.