Chinua Achebe, of blessed memory, was a prolific writer, who was renowned for his exceptional talents of blending African proverbs to his diction when telling his stories.
I read many of his books but I must say that two of them, ‘ Things Fall Apart ‘ and ‘Arrow of God’ still fascinates me till today.
In his book, Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe told the story of “Nza”, a small bird, who, after a heavy meal, challenged his Chi to a wrestling match.
In Igbo, a Chi is believed to be a person’s personal god or spirit, which could also translate to one’s fate.
According to the story, Nza the little bird, was defeated roundly by its Chi to the extent that its bones were crushed.
The story of Nza signifies overreaching pride, reckless arrogance, or defying destiny.
It implies that when a man boasts or acts with excessive ego he is foolishly fighting his own fate, often resulting in devastating ruin.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state is currently a two term Governor whose second and last term as Governor of Oyo state ends by May 29, 2027.
If you objectively look at how he got elected on the two occasions that he was successful in the gubernatorial contest, you will agree with me that indeed, his palm kernels were cracked for him on both occasions, by benevolent spirits.
In 2019, a former Senator, former Governor of Oyo state and now, the Olubadan of Ibadan Land, His Imperial Majesty, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja midwife a coalition of political parties that assisted Makinde to win an election for the first time ever in his political career.
In 2023, after falling out with most of the coalition partners of 2019, Governor Makinde joined the former Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike and three other Governors of the PDP to form the G-5.
Wike was the arrowhead of the Group while Makinde, the immediate former Governors of Benue, Enugu and Benue were members.
Out of the five, only Governor Makinde was seeking a second term in office.
The five of them, PDP Governors entered into an alliance with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was at the time, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Makinde’s second term as Governor of Oyo state was secured through that alliance with Tinubu.
Tinubu also became president and Makinde, a sitting Governor on the platform of the opposition PDP became a regular face at the Aso Rock Villa until fate intervened.
Suddenly, Governor Seyi Makinde became hostile and started attacking president Tinubu and his Government’s policies.
At the beginning, a lot of people thought it was an assignment given to him through the alliance.
They thought he was acting a script handed over to him.
Later, he descended on Wike and yet, many still thought he was acting a script.
When his campaign posters for the presidency began to surface across the country, many still believed he was acting a script but then, the unthinkable happened.
Governor Seyi Makinde did a Media chat where he opened the Pandora’s box.
That Media chat was the defining moment when Governor Seyi Makinde challenged his Chi to a wrestling match.
Through that Media chat, Governor Makinde, albeit, inadvertently, exposed himself and removed every doubts about the fact that he had an alliance with Tinubu and that alliance helped him secure a second term in office.
It was further, inadvertently revealed that Governor Makinde submitted the name of someone for consideration as a Minister and that when his Ministerial nominee was rejected, he became angry and inconsolable.
Prior to that moment, Governor Makinde had told us that he was always at the presidential Villa to press for benefits for Oyo state.
Unfortunately, he exposed himself through the Media chat, that, in the contrary, he was actually pressing the president to approve his Ministerial nominee.
The biggest mistake Governor Makinde made in his now, infamous Media chat, is when he said that he told president Tinubu that Bayo Adelabu lacked the capacity to organize Oyo APC and that in response, the president told him that he was actually going to ask him, Makinde, to assist him in reorganizing the APC in Oyo state.
When I heard those words escaping from Governor Makinde’s mouth, I almost jumped up from my seat.
I asked myself, what manner of a man is this?
What sort of anger could have been driving someone to say this kind of a thing to the ears of others?
From Governor Makinde’s own account of the event, he said he declined the president’s request to assist him in reorganizing Oyo APC.
If truly, such a matter was discussed between Governor Makinde and president Tinubu, I do not see any justification for a right thinking person to come to the public with such details.
Even, my sixteen years old son wouldn’t do that.
Interestingly, Governor Makinde never told us in that Media chat that president Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved and released the sum of 30 billion Naira to Oyo state with respect to the explosion at Bodija.
Sadly and unfortunately for Governor Makinde, one of the immediate consequences of his Media chat was the whistle blown by a former Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
Fayose, in response to Governor Seyi Makinde’s attacks against president Tinubu and Nyesom Wike said that while Governor Makinde was telling the public what Tinubu failed to do for him, he was silent about the fact that the same Tinubu approved the sum of 50 billion Naira for the victims of Bodija explosion.
Governor Makinde in responding to Fayose, denied the accusation and asked Fayose to provide proof, which the former Ekiti state Governor did.
It was after Fayose had published a document showing that 50 billion Naira was requested by Oyo state that Governor Makinde now admitted that though, he requested for 50 billion Naira but only 30 billion Naira was released and that the said sum of 30 billion Naira is intact in a designated Bank account.
I hope the money is still intact?
After Governor Makinde assumed office in 2019, he violated majority of the agreements he made with the coalition partners.
After he was assisted to get a second term, he has declared war on those who assisted him, the president inclusive.
Governor Seyi Makinde, like Nza the bird, has challenged his Chi to a wrestling match.
In Christianity, we believe in destiny and destiny helpers.
If you engage in a fight with your destiny helpers, the consequence is that you would fail to achieve your destiny.
Up till today, I am yet to understand the rationale behind Governor Makinde’s disagreements with former Governor Nyesom Wike.
For those who don’t know, when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was entering into an alliance with the G-5, it was obvious that he only needed Nyesom Wike.
Whatever Tinubu conceded to the Group, including the Governorship of Oyo state, was done in deference to the former Rivers state Governor.
Is it that Governor Makinde is not aware of this facts?
I think he does but the problem with Governor Seyi Makinde is the same problem Nza, the bird had when he challenged his Chi to a wrestling match.
Ego and arrogance.
When Nza challenged his Chi, the contest was one sided and the little bird was not only defeated, but also got its bones crushed.
Governor Seyi Makinde is going through same process.
In his contest against Wike and others, he has been recording losses upon losses.
The blows are raining on him with speed and fury.
I could see Nza, cornered , battered, weary, gasping for breath and yet, the bone-breaking blows are yet to be delivered.
Some of those who hearkened to Governor Makinde’s directive to erect Billboards with PDP logo have been removing the PDP logo from their Billboards.
Those ones must have seen that Nza has gotten no chance in its contest against its Chi.
They must have realized that nothing positive will come out of the begging – begging face saving measure called ‘ reconciliation ‘.
Oh, Nza is in a big trouble.
The waters are up to its neck.
Will Nza drown?
I have said it times without number, that betrayal is not a virtue, most especially, for a Leader.
You can not keep using people and when you’re done with them, you treated them like pieces of rag.
This time around, Nza has bitten more than it could chew.
Imagine a situation where Governor Makinde accepted president Tinubu’s offer to take over the APC in Oyo!
That could have spelt doom for one side and catapulted Governor Makinde into higher reckoning.
Thank God that his ego and arrogance prevented him from seeing the undeserved opportunity offered him on a platter of gold.
I have a wish for Nza in this turbulent times that it has found itself.
If Governor Makinde could not forge ahead with his inordinate ambition of succeeding Tinubu, he should be aware of the fact that time is running out for him.
We are eagerly awaiting the announcement of his anointed gubernatorial candidate.
If he couldn’t get what he wants at the top, at least, he shouldn’t lose sight of home.
We don’t want to hear that he couldn’t install his preferred successor because the Electoral Act is this or that.
My heart goes out to Nza this morning.
May Nza’s bones not be crushed beyond healing.
Sola Abegunde.
