By Yusuf Maigoro.
There is no human emotion and drive that is as dangerous as vendetta. Because it blinds the eyes, blocks the ears and beknumbs all rational feelings, thinking and reasoning. This path is usually paved with regrets in the end since no one can win such a struggle against himself, the truth and against what is rational and just. It is a poisoned chalice that usually kills the self much more than it does the target.
As Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote in The Scarlet Letter ” No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered, as to which maybe the true one.” It will of course not take too long for the incumbent governor of Kano state to realize that the enlarged photograph he is holding out to the public is indeed, quite frankly, a photograph of his own self in bold and shinning colours.
It is becoming crystal clear that Abba loves chivalry and probably imagines himself to be Cervantes’ Don Quixote or the giant killer in an Arabian cartoon series, who’s life ambition is to bring down former governor Ganduje as a festival trophy for his alter ego. However, shouldn’t someone advise him to rather buy his godfather a white horse or some real beautiful Arabian slippers? He just might like the horse, or the slippers as well, knowing how potentially self-destructive the other option might turn out to be.
Already there is a booze of gossip in hushed voices around the ancient city about the shenanigans of the governor and the little games he and his family members are beginning to play with the patrimony of the people. And it is still morning yet on his inaugural tenure. Stealing and sharing as if tomorrow is too far. The public is not as stupid or ignorant as the governor may be thinking because so many fingers are even now pointing at his direction in just under one year. (Kamar gobe yana da nisa sosai).
Most human action usually returns to them in the end. It is called karma, the law of retributive justice. That is why when one points a finger at the other the rest points back to them. The force being generated by vendetta will ultimately heat up the pressure pot for Abba and his puppeteer. It is only a matter of time. The laws of creation are not complicated, only the true meaning is hidden to the ignorant. All the documents are there, since 1999 and the facts will speak for themselves. Two can actually play the game.
Abba Yusuf is now a full-time governor and there should be no lack of work to occupy his everyday. What are his programs, what does he plan to do differently for the benefit of the people? Or is it true what people are saying that he lacks original ideas and therefore plans to hide under Ganduje probes to hide his lack of ideas and direction. If he must probe former governors it cannot be selective. Everyone who has been governor from 1999 must come under the searchlight for the so-called investigation to be equitable and acceptable to all fair minded Nigerians.
What goes around usually comes round. The ball is squarely in his court, even as we continue to watch the curious developments. As Mahatma Ghandi wisely said “I look only to the good qualities of men. Not being faultless myself, I won’t presume to probe into the faults of others”. No one expects Yusuf to know these truths or to possess the mental faculty to comprehend this message. Being Mallam’s boy is nearly enough for him besides gathering the pecks and percusites of his new reign.
Yusuf Maugoro writes from Dala
