Atlanta, GA. USA
January 24, 2003
I have tried writing you for a while, but I kept wondering whether it was really important to write this letter. Maybe it's for the fact that INEC initially refused to register your party, the NCP, or like most Nigerians in the Diaspora, I'm getting tired of hearing about news from Nigeria.
Not that I'm unhappy carrying the green passport, with the eagle, but for the fact that no news from Nigeria is good news. I am getting tired of defending Nigeria at work, play and school. Like a TV reality show, you never know what is going to happen next.
The recent registration of NCP by INEC is good news after all. At least for the fact that justice for once prevailed in Nigeria, even if it's just a camouflage. Like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said, "The trouble with Nigeria is that while most men are in the company of women of easy virtue, I like many others are having sleepless night, looking at Nigeria's problem and trying to find solutions to them".
Only God knows where Nigeria would be today, if our looting congress men had seen fit to challenge the Sharia forerunners when they first emerged.
I am not surprised that you wept at the NCP's convection. I know it's not just about the pain INEC put you through, but it's mostly your thought about the reality of the Nigeria of your dream and the charade of the PDP and ANPP meetings.
As you grow older in wisdom, I pray you will see the Nigeria of your dream, before the good Lord takes you to greater heights. Your name will surely be immortalized like the likes of FELA, whose songs of years are like a dream come true.
I wonder what ANIKULAPO would say if he woke up to find Baba Iyabo at the helm of affairs.
I guess he would just take a joint large enough to knock him back into eternity. With the abundant resources and manpower in Nigeria, a fool can easily lead us without much "wahala".
As we keep wondering what Buhari will offer Nigeria apart from Sharia and "road-dressing" a la PTF, or more GSM like Baba Iyabo. Chief, have you ever imagined what Buhari is looking for again.
Sir, are you not puzzled that the same Buhari who overthrew the DIKKOs of the 1980s, is now dining with the OKADIGBOs of 2003. Only God can save us from these looters turn rulers.
Nothing can be achieved with this politics of recycling except using them as fillings for better years.
We are all tired of the Jakandes, Nwobodos, Rimis and whatever. These politicians have nothing to offer Nigeria except to hand over to their children like it's a family affair, a visit to Sarakiville (ouch Kwara) will tell more.
Chief, as you start your campaign from villages to cities in all corners of the country, with the support of the masses and the reckless okada menace (I mean riders), I hereby appeal to you to rethink your decision to contest the presidency of Nigeria.
Firstly, ASO-ROCK is not vacant, Uncle Sege will do all he can do (even rigging) to keep it for another term, it's just another case of 4+4 "no shaking".
Your humble self, like most sincere and hardworking Nigerians, does not have the means and power to stock enough "Ghana must go bags" in order to achieve your ambition.
I do understand that time for a change is now, but a journey of one thousand miles, starts with one step.
What Nigeria needs most is law and order. Like the Yoruba says "Ilu ti o si ofin ese ko si", literally meaning, "There is no sin in a city without laws".
What we need most now is the structure for governance. Most congressmen are just in ASO-ROCK to take their portion of the national cake. It's high time we send men of integrity to ASO-ROCK, men who can pass bills, make laws and create opportunities that will benefit Nigerians in every facet of life.
We need men who can question porks and lemons in Abuja, men who can shape the image of Nigeria, men who are incorruptible and transparently honest, men who don't need walking sticks to get to work, men full of energy and vigor, thoughtful men who can create a pride for the green passport.
My dear Chief Gani Fawehinmi, the President of the Nigerian masses, the hope of the hopeless, the liberator of Nigerians, there is nothing more graceful than representing Lagos or Ondo state in the Nigerian Senate on May 29th, 2003.
With the likes of the Agbakobas, Gopyes, Ofeimuns, David-West, Ajayis, Onifades, Odogwos, Odilis and the Okonkwos in the senate, and GANI presiding in 2007 let's see how Sharia, corruption, "magogo", "egunje", quota system, "shon of the shoil" and ghana-must-go politics will thrive.
Chief this is my one-kobo advise.
Nigerians count on you. Wishing you a bumpy (ooops I mean smooth) ride on your way to ASO-ROCK.
Yours truly,
Ademola Andrew Owolabi
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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