by Pedro Christian Kalu
In the words of John Okiyi Kalu “the views and actions of charlatans like FFK cannot and will never represent the views of the learned and hard working entrepreneurs of Yorubaland but rather that of a drug damaged mind seeking to ride on ethnic conflict to actualize his gubernatorial ambition.”
I once admired and extolled the ranks of eminent personalities in Nigeria, including ministers of The Federal Republic of Nigeria both past and present not just because they have attained such high social profile but because I always thought that before such persons are invited to participate in government, they would have been a brain box of ideas, intellectuals and men of noble character, who would have been found worthy of admiration to personally represent Nigeria as a collective entity.
Only a few days back Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, rephrased a question going on in my mind, maybe it is not just a matter of distinction or nobility but some are products of political compensation hence could be tagged as “THE ACCIDENTAL PUBLIC SERVANTS’ in mallam’s own words.
In the words of Femi Fani-Kayode ‘Those that call me a tribalist and an Igbo-hater are simply misguided and ignorant” yet we also have this: “Firstly that those (Igbo) that I have described as being collectively unlettered, uncouth, uncultured, unrestrained and crude in all their ways really are all those things and a lot more.” For a former minister and a representative of our collective entity ‘Nigeria’ it’s so sad and shameful for FFK to belittle himself into petty social media debates and ethnic rivalry that tends to divide our national unity instead of playing the role of a statesman, cautioning our young and teeming youths against the effects of such inflammatory statements. Then I begin to ask myself: How on earth could FFK be also referred to as a former minister where the likes of Chief Bola Ige, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, could also be referred to as same? A wise saying once goes “The higher a baboon climbs the more it exposes its bald ass.” FFK has indeed shown us all he is a bald black ass baboon, an unintelligent personality who doesn’t know what topic of discuss to meddle with or rather even avoid so as to abstain from mudslinging. Unlike his close friend and political associates el-Rufai who would deliberately avoid certain topics of discussion, FFK does not select his choice of words and topics of discussion, he should look around and ask himself, how many former ministers and cabinet holders are involved in this type of untamed debates? It only goes to say we have failed as a nation if indeed we ever had the likes of FFK as former ministers and a supposed nationalist.
According to John Okiyi Kalu, FFK is a product of Nigeria’s dysfunctional system where people move up the leadership ladder on the basis of mundane considerations like whose son you are, not the content and quality of your character. Otherwise there is no basis to appoint a hate-filled individual as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made up of Igbo, Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and others.
When Femi Fani-Kayode speaks about the accommodating spirit of the Yorubas, I undoubtable agree knowing fully well that it is a distinctive description of all Nigerians but that’s not the reason we have a large number of Igbo businessmen doing business in the Lagos, even in Maidugiri the Boko Haram stronghold, we still have a large number of illustrious Igbo sons still going about their businesses. FFK forgot that the Igbos are very optimistic by nature, everywhere whether conducive or not as long as it has the potential of a profitable business and means of livelihood is habitable to an Igbo man. If the Igbos are increasingly large in Lagos it is because Lagos was a former capital and has the required infrastructural viability for a profitable business, apart from Ibadan which is close to Lagos, where else in the southwest do we have a large and teaming population of Igbos doing business? Is Lagos the entire South-west? The Yorubas only seems more peaceful and accommodating because of a common religious identity (Christianity) and lack of Islamic radicalism unlike the core North. How many Igbos where in Abuja before its creation as a Federal Capital Territory, Now, I can confidently tell you that apart from the people of Northern extraction, Igbos are the largest Ethnic group from southern Nigeria in Abuja, successfully building their business empires everywhere. Owning close to 70 per cent of properties in Abuja, that doesn’t make Abuja an Igbo land.
He goes further to say in his usual propaganda that the Igbos are laying claim to Lagos, when and who said that? For FFK it is however a show of shame and ignorance for a man of his status to collectively disrespect and insult the sensibility of a group of people over some perceived utterances of one person. Does Orji Uzor Kalu speak for the Igbos? No Igbo man can lay claim to Lagos. I was born in Lagos, but does that make it my state of origin? We may build our mansions and business empires in Lagos but we as a people have a sense of origin, that is why it is hard for you to see any Igbo man be buried in another man’s land when he dies, he must be traced back to his roots to lay his remains, there are times when Igbos go to the extent of exhuming corps of buried relatives, perform traditional rites and rebury their own in cases where they have already been buried before the arrival of their kinsmen. If FFK says Igbos have claimed they own Lagos, I challenge him to produce evidence of such claim or shut up and stop being an instrument to tribal bigotry, fanning the stokes of ethnic hatred and tribalism.
In the words of Femi Fani-Kayode “Those that know me well like you can confirm the fact that I am not a racist or a bigot and that I consider such sentiments as being unworthy of a man of class, good breeding and culture.” It then bothers me how a man of class, good breeding and culture, would make this statement. “I was not a tribalist when I had a long–standing and intimate relationship with Miss Bianca Onoh, an Igbo lady, who later married Colonel Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu the leader of Biafra and who is now our Ambassador in Spain. I was not a tribalist when I had a long-standing and intimate relationship with Miss Chioma Anasoh, another igbo lady, who I almost married. I was not a tribalist when I had a long-standing and intimate relationship with Miss Adaobi Uchegbu, another Igbo lady, who was exceptionally close to me and who is now a leading figure at the National Headquarters of the ruling PDP”. In the words of a famous rapper Jay Z who FFK has also described in his usual propaganda as illuminate, without proof “You can pay for school but you can’t buy class.” Men of class don’t kiss and tell, how can anyone who describes himself as a man of good-breeding go on his Facebook page to tell the world who he has slept with, just to show and prove that he is a detrabalised Nigerian, does dating or sleeping with women of a different ethnic extraction for your sexual satisfaction make you a detrabalised Nigerian?
Femi Fani-Kayode may pay for Cambridge but he sure can’t buy class, it is earned, not even given like a ministerial appointment. It only makes me wonder how myopic in thoughts a man of his status could go, if at this age and stage in life FFK thinks like a toddler, I wonder what he might have been like when growing up.
In the words of John Okiyi Kalu “The views and actions of charlatans like FFK cannot and will never represent the views of the learned and hard working entrepreneurs of Yorubaland but rather that of a drug damaged mind seeking to ride on ethnic conflict to actualize his gubernatorial ambition”. If you ask me, I think Femi Fani-Kayode speaks for himself and the bulk of other ethnic bigots he represents. My closest friend is Yoruba, I don’t think Femi Fani-Kayode speaks for him, I was born and bred in Lagos, schooled in Ibadan and have lots of Yoruba friends, I don’t think FFK speaks their mind in this statement “When the Igbo, or anyone else, find a real writer that can cross swords with me and give me a good run for my money someone should please let me know. I am itching for a real debate with a worthy adversary on this issue. Like the great Achilles I feel that I have no match. Are there no Hector’s out there? Sadly it appears that my accusers, traducers, opposers and haters cannot find one.” In the words of the great writer Chinua Achebe “Those whose palm kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.”
Femi Fani-Kayode can be likened to Nza the little bird who after a great meal, decides to challenge his Chi to a wrestling match. The Igbos have no match for a demented personality, we have searched but cannot find anyone worthy of a fool to challenge FFK in his show of shame and radical tribalism. Everyone seem to be busy with his business, buying, selling and excelling in our various travails while consciously aware that there may be many FFK out there fanning the stokes of ethnic violence because according to FFK, “The message is clear and it is already out there. It cannot be called back in”
In the interest of our national unity I implore all well-meaning Nigerians and leaders to call Femi Fani-Kayode to order before he succeeds in causing tribal disaffection amongst us. The APC should denounce FFK now and dissociate itself from this blatant spread of tribal sentiment, if indeed it wishes to establish itself as a true national party and redeem its already perceived image as an Hausa/Yoruba party. The Lagos state government should condemn this hate message and dissociate itself from Fani-Kayode’s inflammatory statement now, in order to redeem itself from sentiments already arising from the Ladipo market crises and deportation program. It is rather unruly that a man who should bow his head in shame and shut his gutters over the decadence of our airports and the entire rot of the aviation ministry under his watchful eyes is the same person engaged in this naked dance of shame. Femi Fani-Kayode says he is a servant of truth; the truth is… He is just a man who could afford to pay for Cambridge but can’t buy class.
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Pedro Kalu tweets from @Peddykal
Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.
Chukwu Nonso
Tribalistic Rascality: A Dent in Fashola’s Golden
Image
*”Nobody has a monopoly to madness”
*With the plan to deport some yorubas from different
parts of Nigeria, to Ojota Lagos, simultaneously,
under the cover of darkness, I wonder whether
Fashola really thought-through some of his actions.
*From Kano, Kaduna, Enugu and Port-Harcourt;
under the excuse that they are constituting a
‘nuisance’ and ‘burden’ to those states.
*Of course, some see it as an opportunity to derail
the presidential ambitions of a once impeccable
gentleman, Fashola, who was loved by everyone,
especially the Igbos.
*With the ongoing power tussle in APC, a section of
the APC, sees this as an opportunity to power-blast
and side-swipe the yorubas and their favourite
presidential candidate.
**Fashola, Fashola, Fashola, how many times did I
call you?
*A man who wants to become the President of the
FEDERAL REPUBLIC of Nigeria (FEDERAL REPUBLIC –
emphasized).
*How you fall a victim of this cheap Tribalistic stunt
and Sub-mentality? Rascality and Recklessness?
Illegality and Illegitimacy? Belligerence and
Bellicosity? Wantonness and Unconstitutionalitty?
Irascibility and Inscalability?
*How could you ever sit down and justify the
deportation of Nigerians from Nigeria?
*There are thousands of people from Cotonou, Togo,
Cameroun, roaming the streets of Lagos, unchecked;
but no, you must select Nigerians to deport from
Lagos???
*Exactly the same thinking that led to the Pogrom.
Exactly the same thinking that led to the massacre
of 6 million Jews. Exactly the same thinking that led
to the 2nd world war.
*How are you different from Adolph Hitler,
Fashola??? President Fashola?
*Look at the amount of work going on in Abuja. At
this time, more than 70% of Nigeria’s federal capital
project is taking place in Abuja. Massive
Expenditures, Federal Capital Investment, The
Marshal Plan.
*Tomorrow, the Gwaris will rise up and begin to say:
‘Abuja belongs to the Gwaris’, and they will begin to
deport Yorubas from Abuja, and everyone will try to
explain to them, how much was invested by the
Federal Govt in making Abuja what it is today, but
they will not listen. People will try to tell them that it
is only happenstance and chance that made them
the capital, but they will not believe.
*Port-Harcourt could easily have been chosen by the
white-man as the capital of Nigeria, but they chose
Lagos.
*At a time, more than 70% of Federal projects, was
taking place in Lagos;
But no, you can’t explain this to some imbeciles like
Femi Fani Kayode.
No, it is by his own strength that he single-
handedly built Lagos into what it is today: Federal
money was not involved, not even 10kobo.
*We loved you so much Fashola, what went wrong?
Who bewitched you?
*You are an elder in Nigeria; One day, the Nupe
people will suddenly start deporting the Tivis from
Niger State, and start shouting: ‘Niger belongs to
Nupe’? How will you feel? How will you feel, if
suddenly, the Kanuris begin to deport yorubas from
Borno, and start shouting: ‘Borno belongs to the
Kanuris’? Is that the Nigeria you want to build, eh,
President Fashola? Do you know the meaning of a
Federal Republic?
*You have not yet become President, and you are
already acting in this dastardly manner? What then
will happen when you become president?
“If you want to know the true character of a man,
give him power”!
*The second law of Thermodynamics:
‘The entropy of a system never decreases; instead it
continues to increase and evolve spontaneously into
maximum entropy’.
*What is worrying however is that in this case, such
entropy is not only man-made, but in fact, created
by the people who are otherwise respectable
custodians of peace in the society!
*Oh Fashola, No sooner had we started to quench
the ambers of the Niger Delta milita, than the issue
of boko haram began to rear up its ugly head, and
as we are now battling the boko haram crises, you,
in your wisdom, have thrown in another time-bomb
— and boomerang it will in a very incredible way!
—- Entropy! Man-made Entropy!
*Recklessness and Rascality, wrapped in the sub-
mentality of tribalism, and xenophobic jingoism!
I don’t have words for FFK,he his really ignorant,Lazy people that can’t achieve what the Igbos could achieve are looking for way to destroy what has being build.Who even told FFK that Lagos belongs to Him,he should trace his root and go back home and leave Lagos,city of the country alone.FFK is a failed man and should closee his gutter.
Every well-meaning Nigerian should advocate for peace and unity!
Still unimpressive….. D question has still not been answered at all. How does a chunk of Lagos belong to d Igbos as claimed by an ex Abia Gov? Was d Gov right to put in that provocative claim? Am inclined to believing FFK that d Igbos want to own everything, control everyone and displace everyone!
Can’t actually waste my short living life debating or arguing with a tribal fanatic and sentimental blinded nitwit. Am half yoruba and half Igbo, poor professor very soon you ill gotten wealth you stole as a minister and money left with you by your honorable father ( which I heard you didn’t share with your siblings) will vanish and you will apply ghost mood.
Frustrated Jide, wake up or u need office from FFK cum 2015 of his election dt he will not even qualify for primaries…hungry Jide and unambitious FFK
You must be a fool,he’s a son of whatever,,so what???we should all jump into a lagoon.do you know the sons of other big personalities?the truth is bitter,live with it,ode
Jide, the poverty stricken ethnic champion. With all this your flowery grammar if an Igbo man gives you N1mil for free now, you’ll change your name to Okonkwo. Bloody scallywag
Because him Femi Fani Kayode already has the hatred against the Igbo’s on him , that was why he couldn’t achieve anything during his stint as the Aviation Minister. no body is dragging Lagos with you (FFK) or your Yorubas, but understand that Lagos was not build by Lagosian nor Yorubas … Lagos was build by the Federal Government with Federal Money, and it was an Igbo Man whom you FFK Hated so much made Lagos to be recognized today, in the name of One Nigeria that has woefully failed more especially the Igbo’s and Oil Rich states… Be wise Keep your High Grade certificates to your House , and look for something better for your political Ambition Cum 2015. we all know, but soon you will miss the Igbo’s U FFK must one day need Igbo Mans Help.
Because him Femi Fani Kayode already has the hatred against the Igbo’s on him , that was why he couldn’t achieve anything during his stint as the Aviation Minister. no body is dragging Lagos with you (FFK) or your Yorubas, but understand that Lagos was not build by Lagosian nor Yorubas … Lagos was build by the Federal Government with Federal Money, and it was an Igbo Man whom you FFK Hated so much made Lagos to be recognized today, in the name of One Nigeria that has woefully failed more especially the Igbo’s and Oil Rich states… Be wise Keep your High Grade certificates to your House , and look for something better for your political Ambition Cum 2015. we all know, but soon you will miss the Igbo’s.
Because him Femi Fani Kayode already has the hatred against the Igbo’s on him , that was why he couldn’t achieve anything during his stint as the Aviation Minister. no body is dragging Lagos with you (FFK) or your Yorubas, but understand that Lagos was not build by Lagosian nor Yorubas … Lagos was build by the Federal Government with Federal Money, and it was an Igbo Man whom you FFK Hated so much made Lagos to be recognized today, in the name of One Nigeria that has woefully failed more especially the Igbo’s and Oil Rich states… Be wise Keep your High Grade certificates to your House , and look for something better for your political Ambition Cum 2015. we all know, but soon you will miss the Igbo’s.
One thing all of you igbos don’t realise is that you tend to be uncouthed and unruly than seeing and treating the issue the way it is being presented by bros.FFK.He went dowm the memory lane bring facts blow by blow and account by account but,rather than for anyone that is sane among you if there is any at all to raise up to the occassion but,you left leprosy and be treating rashes,what a wastage,stiff-necked and insolent tribe is this?Can anyone of you fault him in all his postulations on your amassing nature and sit tight syndrome over what doesn’t belong to you that you are fond of grandstanding on which has been your way of life?Stop this your show of malady and insensitivity because you have lost the battle already.FFK is a son of a warrior late chief.Remilekun Fani-kayode,therefore,all of you put together can’t withstnd the missiles of this illustrious and brave son of Yoruba,I biesiege all you igbos to go on three sleeps that a defeated person sleeps for you to wake up afresh,retrace your foot steps,make an amend for you to learn how human being behaves because all of you lack manners,cultured and decent living.Sir.FFK continue feeding them with lectures and sturd their empty brains with historical lessons to the fullest.Allof them supposed to be sent to the gulag forever.
Jide. Wat is wrong is wrong. FFK does slipin wit bianca in anyway proof he is detribalised or counting how many ibo ladies he had an affair wit proof anytin? Him fall hand.
This Jide guy is really frustrated. Do you honestly believe that your life would suddenly improve is all Igbos were exterminated? The Igbo aren’t the reason for your lack of personal progress. Instead its probably due to your myopic, xenophobic and intellectually bereft mind which you laid bare with your comment. I won’t insult Yorubas because I know enough hardworking, honest and fair minded members of that tribe and I know you do not speak for them. You however, are a waste of matter and will never amount to anything. You and your children are doomed to a life of abject poverty and grief unless you turn away from bigotry.
Jide, so FFK is the son of a warrior. You call Chief Remi Fani Kayode a warrior? I thought warriors dont fight elders and sages, but the man you call warrior fought the late sage Chief Awolowo to a stand still, a fight that led to the collapse of the 1st republic. Jide you’re an educated illiterate. Go and find out what led to the genocide in Rwanda and juxtapose it with what your so called big brother has written. Jide, you’re like your so called big bros FFK, you have no class. SHAME ON YOU.
@ mr. Jide. You’ve chosen to toe the line of an ethnic bigot that lacks the quintessential rudiments of public speaking; and jst lyk him u’ve shown how shallow a racial dwib really is, inside. Go and learn how to speak and write first – and while u’re at it, a course in spelling and punctuation wld do u gud – before joining a discussion that is way over ur head. People like u and ur classless kinsman are the pseudo-intelligentsia that do the sensible yorubas no good.
Many thanks well spoken.FFK a demented mind seeking relevance in a world that has left him behinde