By: Ibraheem Abdullateef (Egghead)
I am afraid to lace my pen at this critical point in time, where anything and everything could be termed political, sponsored or hate message on a topical discourse as sensitive as this. But I have realized that goodness has no place and is never out of place. So is the truth, it has no time. The truth at all time for the righteous is never a commodity; no allotted time or place. So therefore, it has become a binding act of patriotism, to pen this piece to the exalted Emir, and the revered Emirate council, before the dishonorable acts of some paid voices within the council, through their messages of calumny and obloquy, degenerated into a societal impasse for our respected, revered, exalted and honoured seat of the caliphate.
I am by no means doubtful that Mai Martaba, Seriki Ilorin; the Emir of Ilorin is a father for all and sundry. This is by no means an attacking or disparaging post seeking to bring down the stool of power in the Emirate. In contrast, this is a piece written to sound the alarming bells to the well-meaning sons and daughters of Ilorin Emirate, to become aware that there are political termites hiding beneath the stool for protection, to perpetrate ignoble acts capable of bringing dirt, and disrepute to the powerful seat of the caliphate. I have no reservations whatsoever extolling the Emir’s large heart and outstretched hands to everybody for guidance and spiritual mentorship, regardless of social status, tribe or political affiliation. I have no misgivings on the fairness of the Exalted Emir in his dealings with people across the social strata, clearly if there’s anything the Serikin Musulumi should be idolized for the most, that would be his peerless leadership abilities and invaluable healthy relationship with every community leaders, which is a testament to the rotund peace and tranquility enveloping Ilorin and its surrounding communities today.
However, I have no fears breaking the walls of untruthfulness and divided loyalty, of some chieftains and community leaders, who have turned themselves into Vuvuzelas, singing praises of political masters and sometimes, politico-informants to some identified paymasters, a dishonourable and ignoble act, made stronger day in day out by silence from the necessary quarters. And I have chosen this medium to intimate all and sundry of the dangers the unvented acts of these few men could spark in the Emirate in no distant future, unless we raise the thick voices of disapproval like I have done now, to put them in their rightful places, we might be sitting on a keg of gunpowder waiting to explode anytime. I pray it never gets to such time.
I have no reservations pouring out my unhappiness and displeasures at the recent turn of event that had the Emir and the Emir’s Palace in the news for the wrong reasons. I am appalled our widely revered and globally respected Emir’s name would be dragged by some nefarious elements into politics. I found it unthinkable that some opportunists, in a bid to secure their political pots of porridge, and pacify the egos of their godfathers, or for other selfish sinister motives, would let every spec of dignity and human values make way for worldly gains and benefits, to the point of making the Emir’s revered name and personality a means to that ungodly ends. I am of the opinion that, that’s the highest anyone can go in abusing and ridiculing the entire Emirate, because once you abuse or insult the King, you have disrespected a whole Kingdom. In lieu of reverence and exaltations deem the globally recognized Ilorin Emirate, should these be replaced with ridicule, scorn and opprobrium due to the covetous dealings of the dishonorable few, without us being fleet-footed in arresting that? I guess not.
This is why the Emir and in fact, the noble sons and daughters of the Ilorin Emirate, stakeholders and well-wishers alike, needs to urgently check the political partisanship of some Mogajis and Alanguas before such ill- advised courtship causes a societal impasse in our State of Harmony. I don’t know if it is needed I chip it in here, that I expect strongly worded rejoinders and press releases refuting this piece and attacking my person, yet I am fully prepared for that, however, I sincerely hope the messanger is ignored and the message is embraced. At this time, the messanger may be attacked and maligned, but the manifestations of the truth in this earnest call, cannot be wished away without proper actions.What people, ignore and disregard candid words of advice? Certainly, not my Ilorin, the land of Ulamas, silks and jewels of the world.
The recent assertions attributed to the Emir that he would abdicate the throne if a certain politician wins were unfounded and untrue. Right at the heels of that, was a purported complains said to emanate from the Emir’s Palace, expressing dissatisfaction with a certain politician’s advert billboard, to the head of a State Government agency, which he classified as a ‘directive’ from the Emir palace. The burning issues here are to ask ourselves, who is so gutsy to the extent of personifying the Emir? Who are these people misinforming the public? Perhaps I should notify you that none of the incidence didn’t cause outrage and controversies so much, the ripples are not yet down in some quarters. If the Emir wasn’t aware of these unpatriotic acts, and some people hide somewhere hell-bent on tarnishing his image, should there not be a swift action to nick that in the bud? Even if the Emir is so loved and unconditionally adored, by the people, should this be the way we allow someone or some people risk the wrath of the people through constant politicization of the Emir? No doubt, we might not have noticed it yet, but the outside world is watching, and I believe, this is not the kind of publicity befitting our Serikin Musulumi.
I have a strong conviction no one born of man, having no connection and relationship with the Emir , could dare think of such daredevil exploits, unless his head do not wish to stand on his body again. We should ask ourselves what guts and effrontery a man or group of men would have going around acting “the Emir” under whatever umbrella, if not by grandeur delusion of the privileges of the chieftaincy title? Perhaps I should stop speaking in parables and come out clear that I have information at hand, indicting these black herds of sheep of political conspiracy with some political wayfarer. However, for the purpose of peace and tranquility, I would let the Emir, and the Council, do the needful, trusting their sense of judgment and impartiality, would curb these nefarious men from brewing the waters of discord and anarchy in our community like they did in 2003. I am sure that ugly time in our history, shouldn’t be forgotten without the lessons truly learnt.
Therefore, with every sense of urgency, modicum and respect, I strongly advise the Emir to strike these people, after proper investigation and uncovering of their dishonorable political dealings, which are grandiosely ignoble, a heavy hammer of punishment, for disloyalty and contempt of authority. I implore the Emir, and the good sons and daughters of Ilorin, to look into the self-serving actions of these culpable people before it gets to the crescendo. I am sure a bypass of this impunity would embolden them to do more. I strongly feel if people could [mis] use the privilege or opportunity of association with the Emir and get away with indiscipline, that’s no less undermining the sensibility and loyalty of the upright people of Ilorin and Kwara state as a whole. I know when a young man acts badly we say he is childish, but what do we say of the adult with the ways of the kids? If they would stop at nothing to make themselves errand boys to the politicians, I do not think there’s any reason why the Emir shouldn’t go a step further by dethroning them.
Dear fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters in the Emirate, this is a piece sounding alarm bells on the peace of the cherished community, through the acts of some ignoble few, which needs urgent attention, this is nothing but a message of truth needing no witness, but Who will tell Emir this truth?
Ibraheem Abdullateef, a social commentator, writes from Ilorin, Kwara State.
He can be reached via email @ eggheadibra@gmail.com.