Matters Arising : Kashamu's death, the Adebutus and my appeal to the Bamgbose-led Ogun PDP Exco
August 28, 2020
By Sobowale Olayinka

Shall I wither and fall like an autumn leaf,
From this deep sorrow - from this painful grief?

How can I go on or find a way to be strong? Will I ever again enjoy life's sweet song?

Sometimes a warm memory sheds light in the dark

And eases the pain like the song of a Meadow Lark.

Then it flits away on silent wings and I'm alone; Hungering for more of the light it had shone.

Shall grief's bitter cold sadness consume me,
Like a winter storm on the vast angry sea?

How can I fill the void and deep desperate need
To replant my heart with hope's lovely seed?

Then I look at a photo of your playful smiling face
And for a moment I escape to a serene happy place; Remembering the laughter and all you would do, Cherishing the honest, caring, loving spirit of you.

Shall spring's cheerful flowers bring life anew
And allow me to forget the agony of missing you?

Will spring's burst of new life bring fresh hope
And teach my grieving soul how to cope?

Sometimes I'll read a treasured card you had given me And each word's special meaning makes me see, The precious gift of love I was fortunate to receive,
And I realize you'd never want to see me grieve.

Shall summer's warm brilliant sun bring new light, And free my anguished mind of its terrible plight?

Will its gentle breezes chase grief's dark clouds away,

And show me a clear path towards a better day?

When I visit the grave where you lie in eternal peace,

I know that death and heaven brought you release;

I try to envision your joy on that shore across the sea,

And, until I join you, that'll have to be enough for me.

For all the remaining seasons of my life on earth,

There'll be days I'll miss your merriment and mirth,

And sometimes I'll sadly long for all the yesterdays;

Missing our chats and your gentle understanding ways.

Yet, the lessons of kindness and love you taught me,

And the good things in life you've helped me to see;

Linger as lasting gifts that comfort and will sustain,

Until I journey to that peaceful shore and see you again.

- Seasons of grief by Belinder Stotler

It was a silent Saturday morning. Everything looked arranged to me as if the world would be on reset mode soon. I looked around, all I could see were dried leaves, painfully crying on the ground after dropping prematurely. I thought so deep, what could be the figurative meaning ? After a long thought, no answer came to my mind. I returned inside, picked my tooth brush and faced the bathroom. I had planned to visit a brother who had just returned from an official duty - Officer Taiwo Adebajo. Once I departed the bathroom, I picked my white short and green top. About to exit the room, my little son, Desmond called my name repeatedly, "Daddy, Daddy....". I looked back and gave him what I thought he wanted. Desmond is used to my early morning peck. He wouldn't watch me go out without having that.

I moved out of the room and called on my brother, Abolaji Sobowale, whom we had both planned to visit the Officer. He was equally set and off we went. It was about 11am when we departed our house. On reaching our destination, we were warmly welcomed. We had a long discussion on the death of Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju who was to be buried by 4pm that same day. I recounted to them (the Officer and my brother) how faithful the former National Treasurer was since I knew him. We talked about football too. Other discussions found in their ways. By evening time, we bade the Officer goodbye. In his usual manner, he escorted us to a junction near our house. We stopped and bought some oranges. As we were about to continue the stroll, we saw our friends and decided to exchange pleasantries. One thing led to the other and we were offered a seat. There, the tragic news met us. The phone call which has caused me so much trauma. The speaker said in a sorrowful voice, "Oga don mud". I was destabilised. I was grieved. It looked to me like the world would end soon. I remembered the dry leaves I saw in the morning. I recalled the morning feelings. Oh ! Could this be the tragic thing awaiting me? Maybe!

My brother, Abolaji Sobowale wept from that junction to our house. He didn't mind who was looking at him. Even though it was on a lockdown day and some of the shops didn't open, those who opened knew something terrible had happened to warrant Impact crying profusely. My legs were shaking. I was feeling serious cold. I managed to stand up, alongside Officer Adebajo. I received different calls with same question, "Is Kashamu truly dead ?". My lips became too heavy. I couldn't reply. Much as I tried holding it, I eventually broke down in tears. A mighty tree has fallen. "Alaanu Mekunnu" as he was fondly called was gone, the "Authority" has waved goodbye to the world. It was indeed a black Saturday in Ogun State. All through the night, I lost sleep. The memories we shared with him kept tormenting me peacefully. I asked in the silence of my heart, "could it be a joke ?". Will there be a rejoinder soon to debunk it ? No. It's all true. Senator Prince Buruji Kashamu had left us at a wrong time. On Sunday morning, we (Impact, Myself and Officer Adebajo) were in Ijebu Igbo before the arrival of his remains. A mammoth crowd awaiting his body and to confirm if he was truly dead as many were still in disbelief. Not long, an entourage arrived. I looked closely, anticipating Kashamu to come down in his usual manner and acknowledge cheers from the crowd. The crowd chanted, "Kashamu dide ! Kashamu dide ! Alaanu Mekunnu dide !!! (Kashamu, stand up, Kashamu stand up, Alaanu Mekunnu, stand up). They wanted to see him on his feet again. Nobody would have thought of Kashamu's death in twenty years to come. It came as a rude shock. Baba Sherifat was buried according to Islamic rites in his Ijebu Igbo countryhome and there, everything ended for a man who dedicated his life to love and justice for his fellow human beings.

In his lifetime, Kashamu was a such a cheerful and invigorating presence that one cannot easily forget his daunting historic tasks he set for himself. He single handedly fought impunity to a standstill in Ogun PDP, despite that it was a cause very hard to accomplish, he won. Through his own suffering, Kashamu became more alive to the plight and suffering of others. His life's work was not to champion those with wealth or power or connections. Rather, it was to give a voice to those who were not heard and give hope to the hopeless. He was an icon of humanity. While he was seen by his fiercest critics as partisan lighting rod, that is not the prism through which many like me saw him. He was a product of an age when the joy and nobility of politics prevented differences of Party and philosophy from becoming barriers to cooperation and mutual respect - a time when adversaries still saw each other as patriots. His was not a do-or- die affair. He was always of the opinion that once someone attains a leadership position, others must support to ensure he succeeds. He identified this as the only way to earn progress. Indeed, he came, he saw and he conquered. Let me borrow the words of Senator Amosun in his tribue to the Late Senator, "Love him or hate him, Senator Kashamu cannot be easily ignored". It's hard to say goodbye, it's hard to carry on with politics without the presence of the "Authority". Sadly, it is the end of an era.

Days after his death, a video surfaced online. It contained the video record of the phone conversation between the late Senator and billionaire lotto merchant, Chief Kessington Adebutu. I watched with dismay, how a supposed old man comfortably listened to the talks of a man on the sick bed. He was seemingly more concerned about his business than Kashamu's good health. The video sparked different reactions, with many condemning the lotto merchant for releasing such video, especially at that moment of grief. What could be the motive behind that ? In the video, Kashamu was begging Chief Adebutu to forgive him and give him another chance either to live and/or prove his sincerity. Chief Adebutu's reaction in the video has a whole lot of meaning. He feared Kashamu's sincerity and maybe that was why he didn't forgive him. Yes, I said he didn't forgive him ! Baba Adebutu and his son did not attend Kashamu's burial, neither were they present at his eight days fidau prayer and final outing ceremony. After all, a clear conscience fears no accusation.

Only the pretenders will not know the real reason behind Kashamu's appeal.

Well, that's more of a topic for 2023. The Adebutus were alleged to have rejoiced over Kashamu's death. If there wasn't enough evidence, the senselessly put together message by the media consultant to Ladi Adebutu was enough evidence.

The rivalry between Kashamu and the Adebutus started in 2016, when Ladi Adebutu, who had just been elected into the green chamber moved to hijack Ogun PDP structure. Despite commiting so much effort and money into the course, he failed woefully. The rivalry went from being political to personal and the rest is history. I know for sure, that the Almighty God will judge everyone accordingly.

I am appealing to the legally backed Ogun PDP Executives, led by Mr. Samson Bamgbose, to protect Kashamu's legacy. He died a champion and his hard work should not go down in vain. This structure should not accommodate the wicked ones and for no reason should anyone think of wasting Kashamu's efforts. This is what he lived, fought and died for and the only way to make him happy in heaven is to do his wish. Let us know that we are writing our epitaphs by our actions and inactions. May history be kind to us and may reason and good judgment prevail!

Let the dead rest in peace