The perilous time we are pushed into would never have happened if politicians had not found compromise in societal structures that should check their excesses and ensure a sane society.
Politicians, world over are the same. They are concerned about the next election, it is no longer hidden that while Nigerians were pre-occupied with 2015 elections and how to enhance quality life through good governance, some politicians saw this as an avenue to tie the people down to their (politician’s) own future ambitions.
To effectively have this done, the press will have to be bought to mint propaganda, the civil societies to occupy Nigeria, critics to shout hoaxes and the church to preach a new gospel.
The Muslims were not left out they were made to see reason in a political jihad which unfortunately has become religious because of the illiteracy level of their foot soldiers.
This “holy war” that has reached its crescendo began subtly under President Olusegun Obasanjo, activated by the declaration of Sharia by the then Governor of Zamfara state, Alh Sani Yerima on Tuesday 26th of October 1999, like a night fire in the wild the whole of North West and North East were engulfed, its smoke soon began to choke Pleatau State.
By 2004, just a year into Obasanjo’s second tenure, but, for politicians the game for successor and power shift had started, ethnic and religious stoves are means by which you can get Nigeria heated in no time, no thanks to the battle for relevance between the Cross and the Crescent.
Yakubu Pam was the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Plateau State, series of clashes had led to a massacre of Muslims on the 2nd of May 2004 in Yelwa a small town in the state for which Obasanjo could no longer condone, necessitating the President’s visit for a first hand assessment of the situation.
Obasanjo held a public meeting with the concerned communities of Faith’s Muslims and Christians.
Pam was bold and courageous it seemed, when he took the floor accusing Obasanjo of coming two months late.
His body language was clear, the President should have come when Muslims had upper hands and raided and killed Christians without mercy and not when Christians had their revenge.
He didn’t mince word; he queried Obasanjo’s commitment to see an end to ethnic and religious violence.
The Pam, whose boldness and “defence” of Christianity we made an hero of, should be asked now, has Muslims stopped raiding?
Buhari’s Government has supervised more bizarre persecutions and killings, but our then heroes have been settled.
Nigerians must learn, though the religious and ethnic nature of most of our crisis can’t be ignored. The truth is that is the strings to our emotions which politicians have found convenient to use in manipulating us to their own advantage.
Trust Obasanjo, a fighter ever ready! In unhidden tone lacking Presidential diplomacy he charged back at Pam, “IDIOT”! CAN my foot!! What role have you played to bring about peace as CAN Chairman in Plateau State.
If a rhetoric is made of Obasanjo’s question to our Governors, Local Government Chairman, and religious leaders Nigeria would have seen peace.
To everyone who like Pam have a complaint, ask them what in their individual capacity are they doing to promote peace or are they just shouting to be noticed for appointment?
Obasanjo went further; what type of a CAN Chairman are you? Did your own Christianity teach you about revenge?
A million dollar question that we all must answer today, though it has become fashionable to seek revenge, it is better done under our ethnic identities than under Christianity.
The right to self defense is not a rule of faith. Jesus said if you are slapped on the right cheek turn the left.
Yakubu Pam is no longer a CAN Chairman, he is now the Chairman Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, but his voice has entered voice mail over welfare of Christians as far as their peace is concerned in Nigeria.
Our once lean Christians critic, Yakubu Pam has grown fat like his social critic brother in the Lord Festus Keyamo since APC took over Government and Buhari became the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
Has the security situation in the country improved so much that there is no question for Pam to ask Buhari?
Tonto Dike, unlike Pam and our many political attention seeker is not an hypocrite. She might have not been your Christian model but her consistency for her brand of Christianity is not in doubt.
They are there in all ages, women whose flesh doesn’t reflect their Spirits. Of such was the Lady of easy virtue that helped the spies upon the wall of a city by her Spirit not her flesh her father’s house was saved and gained a spot in the lineage of Jesus.
Society might have condemned her for her life in the flesh but God who is a Spirit could relate to the beautiful spirit of Rechab hidden in the flesh of her hustle for survival.
Dike showed no pretence, her portrait in make up and clothing say it all, I come as I am! In her spirit was the lines of a Catholic hymn:
Come as you are, that’s how I want you.
Come as you are, feel quite at home ye
Close to my heart, loved and forgiven
Come as you are, why stand alone…..
Each time you fail to live by my promise
Why do you think I’d love you less? …
Come as you are, that’s how I love you…
All will be well, just come as you are.
The rhythm of her spirit gloriously redeemed her barely veiled body, for an Angel, Pam did see. Tonto Dike would not need an hijab for her hustle is more than what a veil of clothes can hide.
Many has frowned at the claim of Dike to the Ambassador claim, but truth be told, Tonto is indeed an Ambassador, one you can see through. If only our leaders can be as transparent as Tonto Dike we wouldn’t have been here.
If only we saw through Muhammadu Buhari in 2015? May God give us a discerning spirit to see through people offering themselves for stewardship in 2023.
