I’m very sure PBAT knew me by name before we physically met. About 15 years ago, the facilitator of CODER, Chief Ayo Opadokun invited me to his programme at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja. Present at the event was Asiwaju Tinubu, who was the Special Guest of honour.
At the beginning of the event, we were asked to introduce ourselves. When l stood as l introduced myself, Asiwaju grinned as he did a thumbs up to me, which suggested that he recognized that name.
Over the years, l had made a couple of interventions of which he was the main beneficiary and he wasn’t even aware of my involvement and interventions.
At a point when Yinka Odumakin (of blessed memory) was regularly subjecting Asiwaju to vitriolic attacks, my aburo, Wale Adedayo called me to intervene, saying it was only me and pastor Tunde Bakare that could rein in Yinka because he respected both of us a lot. So, l called Yinka and pleaded with him. In fairness to Yinka, he reluctantly agreed to sheath his sword, saying “Baba Richie, to ri o je eyin ni o(It’s just because of you). But tell his attack dogs if they come for me, l would resume hostilities”.
Incidentally, my first and only close contact with PBAT was at same Yinka’s house when Yinka passed on and both myself and Asiwaju met at his house when we came to commiserate with his widow. I got there before him. He obviously did not recognize me. However, at the end of his visit, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, who moderated, mentioned my name as the person who would offer prayer. Immediately, Tokunbo mentioned my name, l noticed that Asiwaju looked at me, smiled as he nodded his head. That’s how close l have ever been with him.
I chose to give this background because many people here don’t understand me. Some mischaracterize me as “Tinubu enemy” when they see me criticizing him or his government. It is my responsibility to criticize when l feel it is expedient. It has nothing to do with “beef” with the president. I’m sure the man would be glad if l decide that l want to see him today but l have no business going to the Villa. My criticism is not personal.
Like l once told the then vice president, Yemi Osinbajo in his office at the Villa:”You and your oga just dey fuck up”. And he responded “Ki la tun se?” (What have we done again).
So, as for PBAT, l would praise where necessary and excoriate as situations demand. That you criticize a political leader doesn’t mean you hate him. As close as l was to Gani Fawehinmi, l sometimes disagreed with him on issues, even publicly. You can love your political leader without becoming a slave to him, even if you are benefiting from him. It makes you less a human being. Maybe I’m being unfair using my own disposition to such issues as a yardstick.
Growing up as a child, l was always different . If everyone went one way, l would go the other way. My most senior brother and my late grandmother used to say that l had a usual refrain, said in Ondo dialect-“maa se temi loto “(l would do mine separately). I was the one who would challenge our dad to fight on behalf of my other siblings if l saw that they were unfairly treated. I wasn’t afraid to challenge our dad. So, maybe, I’m being unfair to use my idiosyncratic predilections to judge how others react to issues but the fact is that, the best of man is still a man. I have friends across the political divide. My mantra is that no man is entirely bad, no matter how we disapprove of that person’s behavior but at the same time, no man is God and l cannot stand it when mere mortals, political leaders are elevated to a pedestal where they are literally worshipped, where they can’t be criticized. That is another level of idolatry. I’m never afraid to take a position, even if unpopular. It’s a matter of conviction.
As great as respected Chief Awolowo was, l publicly disagreed with him in 1982, even as a UPN supporter. May God deliver us from political idolatry.
–RICHARD AKINNOLA
