2019: Like Macbeth, like Nsima

Tom FredFish

Powerful in nature and curious to the teeth, one can never tell what would come next when it comes to witches and their prophesies. Witches possess dark authority and supremacy, and the temptation to ignore then is unfeasible. They carry with them gloomy days of darkness and evil thoughts. But it is ultimately skewed to play mind games with ONE and if ONE allow them, they lead ONE to doom. Most often, witches work hand in hand with some pastors, (argue that with yourself, it is allowed).

While is it difficult to ascertain who covers who, overtime, testimonies in churches and public places suggests that pastors approach witches for powers and the manifestations of the powers often misled some Christians to their doom.

The essay by Williams Shakespeare "Macbeth" readily comes to mind when reviewing the rejection of President Mohammadu Buhari by members of his party, APC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state when he visited to flag off his 2019 campaigns. The stadium emptied halfway into the president's three minute speech. What? Did they disappeared in less than three minutes? What could have led to the embarrassment by the once enthusiastic party faithfuls. One narrative has it that the hired crowd was disappointed that the president had nothing to offer the state for a second term while another said it was a protest against the party for foisting an unpopular candidate on the state gubernatorial election.

Who foist who on who? Did a candidate foist himself on the party or did the party foist a candidate on her members? The role of witches and some pastor's prophesies are extrinsically tied to this thesis: that an unforseen hands can act as catalyst to ONE's ambition which do not not go in tandem with the people.

In the book, "Macbeth", a brave Scottish general named Macbeth received a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland but before then, he would assume a higher position. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife - (who in this case could be a pastor, friend or political ally) Macbeth moved in to take the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Forced by uncertainty, he visits the witches a second time for direction. And trust witches, they told him what he wanted to hear - three things, two of which seems impossible. One, he should beware of Macduff, a scottish nobleman who opposed his ascension to the throne, two, no man born of woman can harm him and three, he will be safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Castle.

Macbeth is relieved and feels secure because he knows that all men are born of women and that forest cannot move hence the thought that the throne is his for keeps. To Macbeth, the witches prophesies guaranteed his invincibility, but he is struck numb with fear when he learns that the English army is advancing on Dunsinane shielded by moving Birnam woods - indeed the forest is coming!

Still bold and courageous in near defeat that he is indestructible, Macbeth encountered a vengeful Macduff who told him that he was not "born of woman" but was "untimely ripped" (what we now call birth by cesarean section) from his mother's womb. Macduff killed and beheaded Macbeth.

The role of witches in the above essay should serve as lessons to politicians, that one, they are preys in the hand of soothsayers who would never give an accurate prophesy - the witches knew that Macduff was not born of woman that was why they asked him to beware of Macduff. Only fervent prayers in God helps, not prophesies from strange gods. Two, if Macbeth did not rely on the witches prophesies, he would end well and be a history rather than tragedy. But by sparkling Macbeth inner human desire, the witches were able to guide him down a dark path which led to his demise. Three, witches will tell you what is meant to happen to you in order to gain your trust which will serve as the catalyst for your rise and fall.

Obong Nsima Ekere's appointment as the MD of NDDC was the first prophecy fulfilled. His desire to be the governor of Akwa Ibom state is a resultant of other prophesies which ascribed the seat to him by any means. But not every prophesy or ambition has the blessings of God. To be sure I penned Macbeth appropriately to the Nsima Episode - define the the roles of some characters in APC beginning with Rotimi Amaechi - your guess is as good as mine. The reliance on Federal Might by Akwa Ibom APC to win the election will turn out to be the Peoples Might. Witches may predict, pastors may prophesy, but the will of God will never be distorted.

Make no mistake, Nsima's ambition is not wrong but the propensity of God's backing is absent, that is why the generality of Akwa Ibom people feels he should have been contented in his current position. "God cannot make two people a governor of a state, at the same time", they opine.

Howbeit, since democracy is generally viewed as government of the people, by the people, and for the people, 2019 election is another yardstick to prove that both witches and pastor's prophesies has no place in an election other than the tested and trusted credentials of candidates, their deeds in offices and only God's mercy.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst.