THE CLASS OF 2010 'ENEMIES WITHIN' RESURFACES IN OGUN STATE
By proffessor Femi Ajayi



One of my friends drew my attention to one of my articles written Monday, September 20, 2004, captioned, "Nigeria: The Enemies Within", published on www.nigeriaworld.com, that the epidemic of 'ENEMIES WITHIN' every segment of Nigerian society are increasing by day. Coincidentally, the Governor of Ogun State, recapping his ordeal with the 'ENEMIES WITHIN' the system stated, "In Ogun, it has been one day, one trouble." A curious, mind would be interested to know what is going on at Gateway State where 'ENEMIES WITHIN' are at work.


Over the years, an average human being would like to visit Ogun State on the basis of its history in the Nigeria development, both in politics, economy, management, education, health and even Military. Names like Kuti, Awolowo, Soyinka, Abiola, Shonekan, Sowemimo, Obasanjo, to mention a few, will be mentioned. In one way or the other Daniel will surface.


Without going too far from history, Mathew Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo was a three-term head of Nigeria State affairs, even though the fourth term was scuttled by his very close associates. Obasanjo played very prominent role in dismantling Apartheid in South Africa. While counting prominent world leaders, Obasanjo's name would surface. Unfortunately the 'ENEMIES WITHIN' continues to cause some regressive friction for the Gateway State, just on who controls the mantle of power. Obasanjo cannot 'dey kampe', when Ogun State is on fire.


Ogun State has been on the news for a long time despite the progressive initiatives being made by the current administration. We thank God for Baba Iyabo's life. He has debunked the rumor of his assassination. The man survived Babangida's several coup attempts in the Military uniform. Regardless how we qualify Baba Iyabo, he is presumptuous, rash, impetuous, or some could say he is bamboozle, a fraud, a savior, a hero, an opportunist, whatever, but he is very blunt and he is the one and only, Balogun of Owu.


He has condemned the "silly game" played by someone over the rumor that he was shot and killed in Ota, carried by some Nigeria Media agent. Ironically the same Nigerian Media outrageously portrayed the Ota episode between Bankole and Daniel in a bad blood and Baba Iyabo was mute about it. He might be smiling from his mouth to his ears at the news of Bankole-Daniel feud and cast the blame on Daniel who installed Bankole as the Speaker. Bankole protective gear, towards the condemnation of members of the National Assembly as looters, was extended to Baba Iyabo. Bankole flexed another muscle on the British Airways for dare checking his carry on bag according to the regulations.


The media approach to the Ota Bridge Commissioning leave much to be desired. Nigeria Union of Journalists needs to sanitize the profession, discouraging cash and carry journalism in Nigeria. They fed the world with half-baked news without proper investigation. Unfortunately those of us abroad dogmatically pick up the news with some blind commentaries. We added more to the real 'ENEMIES WITHIN' the State, instead of applying our experiences abroad to educate the people in Nigeria, through investigative journalism. The triple sin of Obasanjo, Bankole and Daniel, has the right to lay claim to Ota Bridge.


Where is Nigeria the Nigeria Fourth Estate morality if Nigerians could not be fed with exactly what happened? I remember my Grandmother's gesture of 'Thank You' note after someone has done me a favor, but not the other way round. The media, which is supposed to educate the masses with adequate information of what is happening in the community, would give the news item a wrong picture, depending on who is paying the Piper.


Regardless who resuscitated the Ota bridge project, in a place where there is harmony, decorum, commissioning should never be an issue. No one is discrediting Bankole from putting extra efforts for Ota Bridge completion. Unfortunately lack of investigative journalism has derailed the mental capability of most Nigeria journalists. The media was silent over the sporadic gun shots that made the Governor and his guests disembarked from the bus to his armored car.


These players should bring back etiquette into their game and allow peace to reign in Gateway State for the sake of its citizens. Baba Iyabo should take it as a challenge as an elder statesman instead of being joyous of the feud.


The 'ENEMIES WITHIN' Nigeria Media is driving Nigeria to its grave at 50. Journalism in Nigeria seems to be loosing its credibility. I wish Senator Smart Adeyemi would find a smart solution on the current decay of journalism in Nigeria.

One question an average Nigerian should ask Speaker Bankole on the Ota bridge commissioning episode is what he was thinking by seating on the dash board of the bus conveying Senator Daggash, Federal Minister for Works, his Minister of State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Ogun State Governor and other officials. Surprisingly, he displayed the same power muscle again when he disembarked from the British Airways this week for the fact that they wanted to check his carry-on luggage which was been handled by one of his aides. For God sake, Bankole has hands to carry his hand luggage. This display of power is getting too much for the number four Nigerian.


Bankole should come home as we relate with him when he became the Speaker of the House of Representatives for his Youthfulness, and being referenced as one of the Nigerians Abroad, and drop all these arrogance display of power, which ends one day. Actually he understands the game, unfortunately playing it wrongly. I hope Bankole is not going to shoot himself on the foot the way he is going. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. A stitch in time saves nine, so people say. Na'Abba is a living witness to the display of arrogant power.


It is normal to show courtesies when an official is late in getting to the venue of an event due to some unforeseen circumstances. However, showing of anger publicly does not augur well for the office being occupied by the individual. In a situation where there is decorum in the process, it should not have resulted into the fracas that followed the commissioning of Ota Bridge.


Nigerians hope that the US prediction of Nigeria breaking apart 2015 would not come to pass, if not earlier than that. The breaking up would definitely start from within the communities among the 'ENEMIES WITHIN', with their sympathizers taking sides and move across Nigeria borders. The Time-Bomb is tickling very fast and it would be like wildfire that started from a little smoke, neglected by the fire fighters. Hopefully the trio from Ogun State would prevent the Gateway State from actualizing the predictions. Unfortunately Nigeria at 50, the developments around the world are not impacting on Nigeria.


Ironically the crises in Ogun State, especially the Bond issue has been a contentious issue among the 'ENEMIES WITHIN', unfortunately it is strangulating the Gateway State. It is myopic for anyone to be asking what Daniel is going to do with the Bond at the eleventh hour of his departure from the administration.


The State Assembly was reportedly approved the bond gadgets in the 2009 budget and later turned around mid-2009 with a Resolution and a letter to all Financial Institutions in Nigeria not to have any financial dealings with Ogun State Government because the 'PRIZE IS NOT RIGHT'. The request from the State House of Assembly to bring all State financial books into the open was adhered to on several occasions.


In his Bond defense, in an open letter to the House Speaker Egbetokun, Daniel states

"You will recall, Hon. Speaker, that even in the 2009 budget which, was duly passed in December 2008 by your esteemed House, we made request for N50billion Naira from the Bond Market…, As a matter of fact, the 2009 Budget which was duly appropriated by your esteemed House was signed into law and it contained the sum of N25Billion Naira which, as was clearly indicated, would be accessed from the Bond Market. However, on June 10, 2009, the House issued Resolution 167 barring the State from accessing the Bond Market and enjoined all Financial Institutions from assisting our State. ………… At the last count, about 20 States including Imo, Kaduna, Niger, Kwara, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, etc, are all in the Bond Market. It is also a well-known fact that even the Federal Government has accessed the bond option to the tune of N1.3 trillion."

Very rare for any government to run its services on surplus considering on-going projects for the citizens to benefit from. The only government that runs on surplus has nothing on the ground, where the population and progress is grounded at zero level. More reason the Nigeria Federalism has to change. The Federal Government returns surplus annually because the money meant for the people oriented services at the States level are retained at the central government, subjecting the State Governors and their officials to visit Abuja on a regular bases, further wasting the meager resources at the State level.


Advanced countries go into Bond market. USA increases its debt limit annually because there are progressive projects growing daily. Obama is paying Bush's debts. I accessed bond as the Chairman of South Side Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in 1997 for a new facility. The project was just taking off when I left in 1999 while the payment was left for my successor. The Atlanta community is enjoying the facility today (2010).


Something is not right on the thinking of this process. Is one person thinking for the people? Are some special interests groups just want to scuttle things in the State? Were people sleeping with their heads on one direction? Is it just Daniel or someone else? What is it that is not too clear to the people? How do we capture the 'ENEMIES WITHIN' the State so that things would begin to move in the Gateway State known for progress or CIVILIZATION?


Talking about the high level of education level of the State, could we say, 'Ogbon Agbonju lonpa Ologbon Lara'; claims to know too much hurts badly. Notably,

"When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out - because that's what's inside. When you are squeezed, what comes out is what is inside."

Blind arguments challenging the purpose of road construction by OGROMA in Ogun State is to say the least prejudicial. Some communities in Nigeria that could not be reached by road feel isolated from the rest of the world. Other parts of Nigeria are crying for places for their youth to be liberated from their social deficits, all we are getting from Ogun State is kicking against the Stadia in the State while some States do not even have any. The gains of Ijebu-Ode International Stadium, the host of 2009 under-17 Soccer tournament are for history book.


It is like Andrew Young's vision when he acquired acres of land for the construction of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in the 60s. Atlantans were very critical of him then challenging a Black Mayor of Atlanta his reasoning for embarking on unnecessary project acquiring so much land for the airport. Today (2010) Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has been rated as the busiest airport in the United States of America, if not in the entire world taking over from O'Hare Airport in Chicago.


Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is owed by the City of Atlanta, not the State of Georgia, not the United States of America. Ted Turner Stadium was developed for the 1996 Olympics. Late Manor Jackson fought and won the 1996 Olympics for Atlanta City and left Bill Campbell to contest for the Atlanta Mayoral seat before the construction of the Olympic Stadium. Jackson did not contest for another term while Bill Campbell won the Mayor of Atlanta City. Baba Iyabo is a bosom friend of Andrew Young, and a frequent visitor to Atlanta, as a testimony.


Someone would ponder to ask why the scepticism on the

"major developmental initiatives" in Ogun State, "like Agro-Cargo Airport, Deep Sea Port, OKLNG projects and the Free Trade zones located in the various regions of our {Ogun} State."?

If the whole thing is on Daniel, what about the people of Ogun State where most of the outstanding projects are at stand still? Workers salaries are being faced with passion which adds to nothing for Ogun State workers. How long will the people of Ogun State continue to be punished by those that could decide to live in the moon if they wish to? Ironically those who complained today are beneficiaries of the sweat of what all the citizens of Ogun State are working for.


It is natural for some former Daniel's associates to leave the service because of some disagreements. It is disheartening for them to turn around and wage war on their former bosom friend, wondering what might have brought them together in the first instance. Is it lust for power, money, or based on principles. In advanced countries, if things don't work well between friends they part their ways however not to the point of blackmailing their friends.


Friends turn into the class of 'ENEMIES WITHIN', is terrifying in Nigeria. Friendship would definitely hit a rock in their friendship. Should that make someone go on the destructive path? Even and when you disagree, do you have to bring the innocent children into the scene?



Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria might have chosen the path of breaking the country into pieces, possibly along side Col. Quadaffi's suggestion of breaking the country into two which is starting in Ogun State. The State that houses PDP Chairman of Board of Trustee unlike the Moslem North and Christian South, with vast knowledge of the existing spongy relationships between North and South. Baba Iyabo, an international statesman, should be concerned in his home state. Charity begins at home but does not end there. Dissolution of any State political party executives by PDP at this time could be suicidal for the party in Ogun State most especially.


Note that if Ogun PDP is dismantled today (August 2010), PDP should forget its hold in South West. Would the North be happy at this? Definitely! Where would the north carry its mandate, South-South, where they are gunning their candidate for the President? Would Southeast work with the North, why not; anything goes with South East. Where lies the future of Yoruba Nation; in disarray. 'Yoruba Ronu'. The enslavement continues, given that there is no structure within and among Yorubas. Soccer matches for them. Where do Yorubas go from here? Can Yoruba sons and daughters Abroad bail them out, very doubtful.


Nwodo is playing to the hands of the 'ENEMIES WITHIN' PDP, with the Ogun State Chapter as fishing bits. Once Ogun is lost to other political Party, PDP is finished in the South West. That will be a huge shame on Baba Iyabo. The Nwodo magic of splitting or dissolving Ogun PDP could be an easy access for ACN to penetrate Ogun State. What a shameful gate to the end of PDP in the south west. Oyo is already in disarray, Osun house is not in order, Ondo will give Mimiko a greater and stronger hand, while Ekiti will be easily consumed by ACN. Ogun would be history courtesy of Nwodo 'Macabre Dance' for the dancers of Daniel, Obasanjo, Kuye and the Bolekaja Bankole.


For those Nigerians residing abroad, we could care less to witness the demise of PDP and would be happy to see the party dismantled to disallow its monopoly of power. The northerners are working like a brickwall with great strategy to support Jonathan, to retire Babangida, Atiku, and Buhari in preparation for 2015 for fresh blood in northern politics.


Where are the Yoruba on this? All we are after is power play, destructive annals starting in Ogun State unfortunately, while Baba Iyabo is watching at the tip of his nose. In politics we agree there are no permanent friends, but that of interests. Ironically, in Ogun State most especially, it is 'aluta continua'.


It is time for Baba Iyabo to come home and make mends aside his personality for the benefit of the Yorubas. History may not be on his side on his debt for Yoruba race. I hate to sound being ethnically oriented here which is not in my blood as my constituency abroad knows. Baba Iyabo rascality could be shelved in what have been happening in Ogun State. Whatever the military tactics being injected into Nigeria democracy, through the BOT Chairman, should be shelved for good democracy to strive in Nigeria. United States prediction that Nigeria would collapse in 2015, is beginning at Gateway State before we get to 20:20/20 Vision.


Regardless the outcome of the political hiccups in Ogun State the elders in the State and the Traditional Rulers would have their names well written in the history book of their efforts to sustain the State. Would the credible leaders, elders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, good decent private citizens in the State stand up and be counted to stop the wild fire? Is the Wild Wild West reoccurring, borrowing from Ekiti of 'weti e' of those days.


Ogun Citizens would build the State by themselves not the Hausas, Igbos, ironically not another Yoruba Yoruba outside Ogun State. Shield your swords and give peace a chance. People say that the banana is getting rotten we are still jubilating that it is getting ripe.


According to Dr. Wayne Dyer, Self Development Author and Speaker,

"You are doomed to make choices. This is life's greatest paradox. Everything you own, everything you've done, and everything you are,  they are the results of choices and decisions that you once made. Therefore, you essentially have the chance to push the reset button on your life with every new day. Create different choices for a different future."

Omo Ogun Ise Ya……,  Citizens of Ogun get to work.


http://nigeriaworld.com/columnist/ajayi/081410.html