The first Law of the forty-eight (48) laws of power by Robert green says, "never outshine the master", is a true reflection of what is practicable in Nigeria where many go against their masters but few scale through for a bounce back. Over the week, Senator Aisha Al-Hassan fondly called mama Taraba made the headline for joining the league of courageous women who spoke against their boss's ambition, mama Taraba is not the only minister that have some reservations on their boss, Muhammadu Buhari, the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, but she took a rare step which could have been a strategy from the former vice- president's campaign organisation to launch the ambition of Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 general elections.

Drawing an extract from Mama Taraba's speech during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), she was quoted as saying:

"Firstly, what I hoped for even when I was working as a civil servant - when I didn’t even join politics - because His Excellency Atiku has been my godfather even before I ventured into politics.

“After I joined politics, he continued being my godfather. You know everybody has a reason for a political relationship with somebody. Secondly, Baba Buhari hasn’t told us that he wants to recontest in 2019.

“I can assure you that if Baba Buhari tells us today that he wants to re-contest, I swear to God I will go to him and tell him that ‘Baba, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to work under you as a minister. But Baba as you know, Atiku is my godfather.’ That’s if Atiku wants to contest, but as we speak, he (Atiku) hasn’t told us he wants to contest"

So fast, mama Taraba was alleged of squandering 12 million naira, one would conclude that the presidential political advisers are running out of ideas, the repetition of the same strategy to tackle arising issues makes the presidency more predictable on the next step that would be taken each time there are challenges to address.

Senator Aisha Al-Hassan is now tagged the scape goat for speaking against the perceived ambition of the President, many top politicians in the ruling party are already reacting to the unexpected speech by the former gubernatorial candidate in Taraba state, the Governor of Kaduna state who went silent on national issues as spoken up in defense of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Nasir El'rufai in response to the bombshell thrown by the female minister, He said he was not surprised that Alhassan openly endorsed former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar.

El-Rufai also revealed that the Minister was not in Buhari’s camp during the presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has never supported the president’s ideology.

According to him, Buhari ignored reservations expressed by party members, when he decided to pick her as Minister.

The governor added that retaining or replacing her is “the discretion of the president.”

Similarly, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state said:
"Though she is entitled to her own opinion at any point in time, she should have just resigned her appointment because her loyalty cannot be in two places.

“Her falling short of resigning, takes everything away from what she said and it is clear that she will no longer be contributing to the development of the present administration,” he added.

Presently, the rope of which 'the restrictive scape goat' is with the ruling party, especially the Stakeholders who are decision makers of the presidency, there is no gain saying that a lot of power resides with the presidency who may use all tools within its reach to bring down the perceived snitch in government.

Speaking openly and loudly shouldn't make one a scape-goat but going against the rule at the same time makes others read the story as a lesson to be learnt.

In this scenario, haven openly declared her loyalty for the former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who may be taken the 5th shot at the presidency appears to be the owner of the 'to be made scale-goat', he has his political empire, likely he may have many obstacles to overcome to make his way through, apply an aggressive method could go well through his aspiration, especially when he felt used without been given any relevance at government. Taking a sharp one after his name made the trend again, he said: “They used our money and influence to get to where they’re but three years down the line, this is where we are.”

To confirm the ownership of the 'to be made scape-goat', the media adviser to Atiku said,
"There’s really nothing to say. It’s like stating the obvious”.

“The Minister couldn’t have said it any better, likewise we can’t help say it any better.

“In fact, she spoke the minds of many Nigerians and don’t forget that everyone has a right of association.

“Even then president is aware of the Minister’s support for former VP Atiku; they (APC) know.

“So it should not surprise anybody because it is not a secret that the Minister has been behind us.

“Let me tell you, in the federal cabinet, other ministers have their views; they have people they support.

“People forget APC is coalition and when people from different background unite, you cannot expect stakeholders to forget their root.

Like Minister Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said during his screening at the national assembly when questioned on loyalty, he said " may our loyalty never be tested".

Is mama Taraba loyalty put to test? Has she really passed the loyalty test? what becomes of her?

ENIOLA OPEYEMI from the economic capital of Nigeria.
Eniolaopeyemi@gmail.com