By Abdulmajeed Sulu-Gambaru

For the purpose of full disclosure, and especially for the 'benefit' of the skeptics who easily read politics and mischief into writings like this, I must state from the onset that I have hardly met Prof. Oba Abdulraheem in person. Quite frankly, we had been engaged in the distant past with text messages, the most incisive of which was the exchange on the sabotage effort of a few reneges (particularly Professor Durosinmi-Etti and the likes) in the then FCC, shortly after Oba's initial 'ill-advised' exit.

I had then been thoroughly embarrassed by the sheer foolery and the public show of shame by some sponsored staff of the FCC, who were bent on chasing Oba out of the office by all means. I couldn't immediately fathom why a cabal in the FCC, with the active connivance of their sponsors outside the establishment, would descend as low as peddling unfounded insinuations and innuendoes against a man everybody has come to love to hate. I therefore sought his clarifications. It was just a text, and pronto, a relationship had started!

I couldn't believe my imagination when I saw my mobile phone ringing with 'Oba Abu' tag clearly beeping. I was practically blown off my feet, but I didn't show it. I got my clarifications and then, that was it! But that day, I got far more than I bargained for. We chatted for almost thirty minutes, with the man on the other side of the line practically explaining his own side of the story, to me! This little me, and he didn't bother! And since that day, I have come to understand why the man fondly called 'Oba Abu' has come to become a phenomenon!

Love him or hate him, Oba Abu is an 'idea', perhaps that is why he keeps on coming and going, like a recurring decimal, in our consciousness. Humble to a fault, a good listener, and a near perfect talker. And above all, he is a thoroughbred 'Ilorin' man. If you had never heard him speak in his native Ilorin tongue, you sure have not seen the true, natural Oba Abu. And for you to have this rare privilege, observe him speak in the full presence of the Emir and his other Ilorin kinsmen! There and then, you will see the vantage Oba Abu! But one thing stands him out, he doesn't suffer fools gladly. He dislikes insults because he will not insult others. He abhors impertinence, because he is not arrogant. He is a go-getter and a gladiator in his own right. That is why it taken aback when I heard that his second reappointment was at the instance of a so-called 'godfather'.

It usually amuses me when people wont to easily namedrop while also curdling favours to themselves. It's surprising that any individual, no matter how highly placed, would act God and lay claim over what he/she never  had a say on. How stupid! Why are our people paranoid about positions and titles? It was when who was born that who was conceived? Nevertheless, we let this pass and allow the politician to feast on this rare feat that Oba Abu brought home.

It was perhaps a direct consequence of our 'laxity' then that has bolstered these same set of do-gooders to once against decided to splash dirt on our faces by deliberately standing in the way of a man that has done far more than the politicians, dead or alive, ever did combined. Why would any sane human being, under whatever guise, decide to waylay progress and growth of a whole race in the name of fight for supremacy? Why would a single individual unilaterally and intentionally hinder a people's progress on the altar of sheer politicking? Assuming, but without conceding that Oba had lost out in the FCC race as a result of the obviously selfish plot of the cabal, who would be at the receiving end? It is the elitist and the very well connected children of the 'godfather', who cares not whether the goose that lays the golden egg dies as long as their own narrow nest is feathered? It is the forebears of the political elite in the state and their sponsors whose lifestyle is a big signpost showing every one the road decent people should not follow?

Personally, I feel that once and for all, the Ilorin should call the bluff of this arrogant, self-centred lot who is bent of demolishing all that our founding fathers laboured for, all in a bid to build yet another unpalatable hegemony. For once, I believe it is high time this toddler is called to question by all those that have the key to his brain, or else we will all be sorry for ourselves.

In conclusion, this is wishing Prof Oba Abu the very best as he sets out once again to serve his fatherland. My humble advice sir, since your getting here was evidently not at the behest of any individual but a combination of God and your sterling performance in office, you should be 'loyal' to no one but almighty Allah, who is the only entity that gives and takes. It will also not be out of place to put more premiums on your kinsmen that prayed day and night for your eventual victory, and against the evil machinations of your adversaries. Since the clog in your wheel has been effectively removed by the combination of the above two factors, it will be in your interest to set out to properly work for the good of your fatherland in general and your people in particular. The cardinal principle of equity and fairness that is the philosophy behind the creation of the FCC, and which principle you have jealously upheld over the years in your dealing in the Commission, should be reinforced now that you have your 'own' mandate, and not the mandate as peddled by those that matter not! Congratulations sir.