Coup indicators (part 2)
Between the lines
(Only for those who can see)
There is a word of caution. The new President should beware of sycophants, beware of those who are fond of bringing secret memoranda at mid- night. The double dealers are afraid of sunlight and prefer to call at night when no eyes could see them. He should beware of their tentacles, the faceless rogues who must by now be running all over the place lobbying on behalf of X and on behalf of Y. This they call placing their men inside. There are also the experts of all regimes, who are so expert in advising you when you are on top and equally expert in drafting a memorandum to your successor condemning you. They live to eat out of everyone that comes.
They have no commitment except to their personal interest. They have such sweet tongues that it is not easy to detect their hidden motive! They often talk with their eyes down and appear so obedient. He must also beware of the big business families, the first friends of every man who comes on top and his first condemners when he goes. They introduce themselves to you by ably condemning your predecessor. But above all beware of some Retired Generals. There are one or two good ones. But many are not only greedy for money but also nurse some funny ideas.
It is being said that some of them had rung their foreign business partners and close associates to say that the coup was carried out by their boys. All we know is that the new President is nobody's boy. He is his own master and if the Rtd. Generals do not know this by now, then they will never learn.
There are, however, some good and courageous people whose advice will be worth seeking and worth having. They spoke openly against Buhari's regime and early enough when no signs of a fall was in any way evident. Such were men of courage who dared to damn it and say it out when other men were trembling and paying homage to Buhari and Idiagbon. Such men were subsequently persecuted but in the end they earned the silent respect and admiration of the world. Such are the natural leaders of men and often they remain controversial to the end. They may not have money to dish around but they remain a permanent threat to Buhari's sycophants. Those who cannot go through the fire when it is hot cannot pretend possessing the ability to lead others through hell. Only in situations of crisis are true leaders identified. In times of peace everyone lays equal claim to qualities of leadership.
Finally, with the Decree No. 4 abrogated, Nigerian press has regained its lost liberty. We pray that they would show a sense of responsibility and so reciprocate the good gesture of the new group. It does not pay to exploit a situation and misguide the people by taking advantage of owner- ship of the press, retribution can assume different forms. Buhari in his cell will confirm this.
We wish Nigeria well both on and between the lines. The sadists have had their fill under Buhari's era, they should find a better pastime than showering insults and lies on their betters. They owe it to the rest of us to allow the wounds to heal, assuming of course that they wish Nigeria well. Those who condemned President Shagari and called for his blood were singing music to Buhari at the time and helped to lead him to his doom. They began to see something wrong with him only when his "fire" spread to the compounds. Such was the extent of their dishonesty and viciousness.
Any leader of Nigeria who does not understand their game will be led to his doom like they led the previous one. This is a fact, love it or hate it, the truth must be told. In defence of the truth no price is too high. Nigerians have at last been freed from Buhari’s dungeons, their liberators deserve congratulations. We pray they will do all they can to restore the good image and name of Nigeria as a respectable nation, not a nation of international terrorists and kidnappers.
