Politics
AESOP TALES AND AMOSUN’S AKE TRAGICOMEDY
AESOP TALES AND AMOSUN’S AKE TRAGICOMEDY
BY OLAMILEKAN SOTAYO
“The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.”— Aesop
Aesop was believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BC but the enduring legacy he left behind is his stories generally called “Aesop Fables”. In one of the fables, The Frog and the Ox, we are told of how a frog that tries to inflate itself to the size of an Ox burst in the attempt. This fable aptly captures the personality and antics of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the senator for the Ogun central senatorial district at the National Assembly, Abuja.
In his self-conceited effort to appear larger-than-life and further capture the attention of the APC Presidential Flagbearer— Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu— Senator Amosun had a welcome rally that took place at the Alake palace pavilion in Abeokuta where he denigrated both the past and present leaders of Ogun State before his rented crowd. He said, “In this Ogun State, since 1999–I am on camera, except for Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, I am not talking of pre-1999– no human being, dead or alive, has served Ogun State the way I have served. I have done 8 years as your governor, by next year it will be my 8th year in the Senate. Just between 1999 and now, I have served Ogun State with 15 years of my lifetime.” Every rational human would cringe on hearing such statement as it speaks volume of Amosun’s bloated ego, his level of rapacity— as millennials will say, only you 8 years as Governor and 8th year in the senate— and his utter shamelessness for by pontificating about the number of years he has spent in power without a long list of commendable achievements but empty political rhetoric. Thus, it would be appropriate to say that Amosun had served himself and his stooges all the years he used in power.
Aesop in another fable, “The Frogs and the Sun” told us about how animals were excited when it emerged that the sun would be getting married. Like the rest of their counterparts in the animal kingdom, the frogs also shared in the happiness by jubilating on account of the much-awaited marriage of the sun. However, it was just one frog that reminded his colleagues that the forthcoming wedding would mean the birth of a second sun, and the frogs already suffer from the drying up of the ponds and marshes in which they live.
The moral of the fable is that on many occasions, owing to lack of deep thinking, people rejoice on what would bring them disaster. It is characteristic of the mob mentality to think of the moment without reflecting on the long-term implications of some exciting moments. It is to that group of frogs that the rented crowd at Ake Palace, who hailed Amosun when he made the aforementioned denigrating remarks at the show of shame. I would not completely blame them as they were working for the crumbs that had been given to them as a fee. People are like chickens that had been made to go through gruesome pains but would still peck at grains that are, afterward, placed before them. It doesn’t matter how much pain you inflict on them. The moment you offer them what they need, they will still follow you and turn to you for their survival. This is the situation of Amosun followers who live at the mercy of what is barely sufficient for their survival from their egocentric and rapacious leader’s motivation is just the love of absolute power, which corrupts absolutely.
Several people who worked with him during his “regime” did not only complain about his intransigence and narcissistic nature, they also groaned about his habit of one-upmanship when planning policies and events with other members of his cabinet. This negative attitude of Amosun has become public in his ego-tripping quest to ruin Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, an institution named after the greatest benefactor of education in Ogun State, by relocating it to another venue. All attempts to prevent the relocation by leaders in the state, staffers, parents, and students of the institution fell on his deaf ears: he was the god. Power drunk. And he could do anything he likes: that’s his nature, his love for power is on the same wavelength as his love for using it catastrophically.
Again, as typical of the former Governor, on Saturday, October 16, 2021, he wreaked havoc. The All Progressives Congress (APC) state congresses were held across the country and Ogun State was not left behind. In an orderly and peaceful manner, participants were exercising their party rights at the MKO Abiola Stadium, the approved venue, in Kuto Abeokuta before reports circulated that there was another Congress ongoing at the revered Alake’s Palace. As expected, it was the Ogun APC Judas at work.
Despite his efforts to both thwart the ambition of Prince Dapo Abiodun and provoke his person during the 2019 campaign, he met mature traits of character in the Governor who neither had an altercation with him nor vilified him when he emerged the Governor of Ogun State.
More importantly, if Senator Ibikunle Amosun is hell-bent on getting favors from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he should honorably do it without deceit and cutting corners. Without any iota of doubt, he has no political weight in Ogun State as no councilor, or chairman among other top public office holders is with him. Also, the belittling remark about the leaders in Ogun State has revealed one of the low characteristics of Senator Ibikunle Amosun that would not allow any reasonable political gladiator to team up with him as his utterance in Ake reeks of desperation and deceit.
Taken together, Ake hosts one of the paramount rulers of Egbaland. It is a name that is identified with many heroic deeds one of which births the book, “Ake: The Years of Childhood”, a fascinating memoir of an African childhood from Nobel Prize-winning Nigerian novelist, playwright, and poet Wole Soyinka between 1934 and 1945 in the town of Ake in present-day Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Amosun has continued to derive joy and satisfaction in desecrating the value and reverence of the Alake Palace and this condemnable act deserves to be reviewed.
Olamilekan Sotayo writes from Abeokuta.
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Politics
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
The Centre for Responsible Governance (CRG) has welcomed the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) dismissing the complaint filed against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, describing the ruling as a clear affirmation of due process and institutional integrity.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the spokesman of the Centre, Obande George, said the verdict of the disciplinary body has once again vindicated the Deputy Speaker and reaffirmed the position earlier taken by CRG that the allegations against him lacked merit.
The LPDC, in its ruling referenced BB/LPDC/1954/2026, held that no prima facie case had been established against the Deputy Speaker and dismissed the complaint in its entirety.
According to George, the decision demonstrates the importance of allowing competent institutions to examine allegations objectively rather than rushing to judgment in the court of public opinion.
“From the onset, the Centre for Responsible Governance maintained that justice must take its course. We insisted that competent institutions should be allowed to examine the issues without political pressure or sensationalism. The LPDC’s ruling has now clearly shown that the allegations had no foundation,” he said.
The CRG spokesman further stated that the decision reinforces the sterling reputation of the Deputy Speaker, who has over the years built a distinguished profile both as a legal practitioner and as a legislator.
“Honourable Benjamin Kalu is a respected member of the Nigerian Bar and an accomplished lawmaker. Attempts by some individuals to impugn his reputation through unfounded allegations were unfortunate and unnecessary.”
CRG also condemned the actions of certain civil society groups that were quick to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside from office even before any formal determination had been made by the relevant authorities.
George described such calls as premature and irresponsible, noting that they contributed to the politicisation of a matter that required sober institutional review.
“It is disappointing that some civil society organisations rushed to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside without allowing due process to run its course. Advocacy for accountability must be guided by facts and fairness, not by sensational pressure.”
The organisation also criticised what it described as the role played by some political actors from the South East who allegedly sought to exploit the controversy for narrow political interests.
According to CRG, it is troubling that certain politicians would attempt to undermine one of their own for short-term political advantage.
“It is even more disturbing that some political actors from the South East appeared eager to weaponise this matter in an attempt to bring down one of their own for cheap political gain. Such actions weaken collective political progress and erode the spirit of solidarity required for national development.”
CRG therefore called on Nigerians to learn from the episode and reaffirm respect for institutional processes and the rule of law.
The organisation stressed that public discourse must be guided by evidence, fairness and responsible engagement rather than rumours or politically motivated campaigns.
“The lesson here is simple: allegations must be tested by competent institutions before conclusions are drawn. Nigeria’s democracy will only grow stronger when due process is respected and reputations are not casually destroyed.”
CRG concluded by congratulating the Deputy Speaker for maintaining calm and dignity throughout the controversy, noting that his composure reflected confidence in the justice system.
@The Centre for Responsible Governance, Email: [email protected], Instagram: crgngo6, Twitter: crgng06, Threads: crgngo6
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
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