Voices In The Wilderness or Mere Wailers [Pt 1]

Hello esteem and avid readers!  Today's topic is rather a peculiar one because it focuses on some important but controversial personalities in Nigeria's political spere. We would like to dig, pry and spy into their lives after which we would be able to ascertain if their frequent outbursts actually do hold some water or if its another basket mouth kinda case. Just like the topic says, when you refer to someone as a voice in the wilderness, it means that person has atleast an iota of truth or insight in his ranting but for some reason he isn't being taken seriously. John the baptist and some other prophets of the bible were at one point or the other referred to as voices in the wilderness. Over the years, these men have either said or done things that not only had people talking but really shocked, offended or really impressed. Ayodele Fayose is known for being quite outspoken, Femi Fani Kayode is very daring, Reno Omokri was never one to mince words and Dino Melaye would never sugar coat things. These 4 always say it as it is thus putting their thoughts out there in the most explicit and uncensored way possible. We'll start with Reno Omokri and Femi Fani Kayode then the next post will be about Ayo fayose and Dino Melaye.

Femi Fani Kayode is a Nigerian politician, essayist, poet and lawyer. He comes from a prominent Osun family of lawyers and judges as far back as his great grandfather who was among the first Nigerians to school in the UK which he also did. In 1990 he was elected as the national youth leader of the Nigerian National Congress (NNC). In 2003 he was chosen by chief Olusegun Obasanjo to be a part of his election campaign team which he won. He was investigated and I arrested for the misappropriation of ₦19.5 billion which was meant for aviation intervention funds. Although the investigation found no evidence against him, the senate committee on aviation in 2008 placed a 5year ban on him for holding any public post for 5years which was later called off. He also had a period of drug use and abuse scandal ,then he almost lost his life during a major health challenge but alas after all these he came out triumphant and became more vocal than ever throwing shades at PDP when he decamped to APC and doing the same to APC when he returned to PDP. since the advent of the Buhari Administration, he hasn't stopped calling the president and his cabinet on their flaws and mistakes he keenly observed. He was taken into custody by the EFCC for about 3weeks but was later released. Even at that he didn't stop airing his views and hasn't stopped.

Bemigho Reno Omokri is a Nigerian writer and lawyer. He is also the host of a Christian TV podcast in the united states. A spokesman of former president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno is known for using his social media platforms to conduct political surveys and thoroughly critique the Buhari led government. The peculiar thing about him is the way doesn't shy from using stern words and methods to shame individuals he doesn't think are fit for the political positions they hold. He won't hesitate to call you names or post not so flattering pictures of you on his twitter. A perfect example was when he posted the photo of presidential media aide Mrs Lauretta Onochie with palm wine bottles after she threw a shade at him. How he got that picture of her, no one knows 😂 He is also known for posting wise quotes with the hashtag #RenosNuggets and ofcourse he doesn't hesitate to use his block button on haters who criticize his posts. Although I like his vibe and all, I personally can't personally decipher if he's doing these things because he still has vendetta against the Buhari administration which apparently bounced his outta office. Finally, I won't forget to mention that shirtless picture he posted where fans came in heavy urging him to shave his pits but I'm sure he didn't care, uncle Reno living his best life lol. 

Cabals & godfathers In Nigeria: Are they doing more harm than good to our country?

The act of political godfatherism can be defined as a situation where a more experienced individual usually a past public office holder takes on an incumbent or aspiring office holder under his wings and paves way for him to get his desired office which often involves him directing or running the affairs of that constituency, state or country he has been elected to rule. While a cabal refers to a group of elites usually senior citizens and past political office holders who select political candidates, help oversee the election process and partake in the overall running of the state or country. Cabals are often involved in just federal affairs because they are usually a group of a few godfathers who align together either because they have a similar parties or they just happen to move in the same circle.

The advent of political godfatherism in the Nigerian partisan politics dates back to the first republic when members of the three major political parties Northern peoples congress (NPC), Action Group (AG) and National Congress of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) subtly and carefully cultivated godsons whom they thought were most suitable for top positions. This method was handed down to the next generation of leaders and the next after that. Although its prevalent in Africa, the issue of political godfatherism exists in almost every part of the world and has been going on as far back as the mediaeval era. As it is done in monarchy, a king passes down his crown to his son or in some cases most deserving son but in elections, since it wasn't a family thing anymore, there was still a need for the outgoing sovereign to give some kind of approval or blessing to the incoming one. He is meant to receive certain royalties because he tell his experience and gives advice to the new ruler which helps in times of dilemma. Although they aren't as old as godfathers, Cabals also existed from way back. They were known as kibg makers of the kingdom. They existed in Persia, Rome and Athens. They were made up of past kings, nobles and knights who came together to decide the next person worthy of the mantle of leadership. As time went by, many other kingdoms and nations adopted the system, not only using them to install rulers but some used them for the influence and affluence they clearly had which they used to acquire wealth, defeat rituals from other kingdoms and support the economy of the nation or kingdoms to which they belong. We still have some of these cabals around the world although their activities are alot more discreet now. There's the Italian Mafia, Mexican Cartel, Russian Mob, Japanese Yakuza e.t.c.

Now we gotta ask, or should I rephrase by saying a lot have been asking if these godfathers and cabals are still necessary or are they just instilling fear in the minds of citizens through their never-ending sovereignty and control over public affairs. There's really no need to steadily have an elder figure showing an elected leader his left and right because anyone who is elected into office should be smart enough to run the affairs himself or at most set up an advisory committee rather than count on past leaders to keep enforcing their already failed strategies on the young blood. The aim of electing younger folk into offices to handle these tasks would be defeated if at the end of the day its still the older ones that run the show from behind the scenes. However, every decision or method has its advantages and disadvantages so this issue won't be an exception. Yes, I agree that the young leaders should be allowed to rule and given a chance to use their jet age, well advanced knowledge and technical know-how to tackle issues but at some point the elders would still be consulted for their opinions because it's been said that "what an elder sees while seated, a young person wouldn't see even if he climbs to the top of a hill". Hence the past leaders and elder statesmen can drop their 2¢ents on issues but like I said 2¢ which is clearly a small figure. No more running of the whole show!  The young won't learn if he/she isn't allowed to try new things, make mistakes and learn from them.