The game of politics, especially the Nigerian variant of it is often enmeshed and tainted in the curious colours of subterfuge, ruse, lies, backstabbing and of course brazen betrayal, sometimes from some trusted associates. The truth however, is that those constantly engaged in it always find themselves holding the short end of the stick, after all their fruitless and self-decimating efforts. If only they knew that they would only have themselves to blame, at the end of all their scheming. But they don’t.
And one of such is one Mr. Jide Sanwolu, the former Commissioner for Training, Pensions and Establishment under the Babtunde Raji Fashola’s tenure. The investment banker came into government as a special assistant .. to the former Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Femi Pedro back in 2002.
But when Pedro defected to the Labour Party, LP ahead of the 2007 gubernatorial elections in the state, Sanwolu switched allegiance to the powers-that-be by betraying Pedro. He did this with the promise of a juicy appointment. On the other hand, the then Chief of staff to Pedro, who was similarly approached to cast aspersions on Pedro and betray his cause refused to play the mud-splattered ball. Yet, Sanwolu did and went further to cut off relationship with his former boss. That smirked of his low moral values but it was not going to be his last.
Eventually, he was rewarded with the appointment as stated above under the BRF administration, as promised. As fate would have it, his allegiance to his paymasters could not last long. When the cookie crumbled between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and BRF, he sold the former out to the latter.
With BRF coming back for his Second Term in 2011, Asiwaju made sure that Sanwolu was paid back in his smelly coins. He was eased out of the cabinet and pronto he found himself gritting his teeth in political limbo.
Not done, he crawled back to the Tinubu camp through his wife Oluremi, kowtowing to her whims and caprices.If she went to the market Sanwolu would carry her bags. And if was to the church, did same. Betrayers, as the wise ones know hardly have scrupples.
In fact, in the run up to the 2015 governorship elections in Lagos state our man was one of those openly opposed to the governor’s political ambition. What did he not say? He went round claiming that Ambode was not from Lagos, forgetting the well-known fact that he is of Ijebu stock in Ogun state.
But without any iota of shame he began to lobby for another appointment when Ambode eventually clinched the coveted post. With a forgiving heart Ambode ensured that he became the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos State Property Development Corporation, LSPDC. He is still there as we speak.
Characteristic of him, Sanwolu is currently up in arms against his benefactor, displaying his crafty and sly nature, wanting to upstage Ambode as the next governor of the state. But can he succeed? No.
The good people of Lagos are too wise to hand over their collective destiny into the hands of a serial betrayer. As before, he will have his nails to bit sooner than later.