The urge to discuss compelling national issues on various media platform by their handlers and operators is irresistible. You know we Nigerians love to talk; we spend time talking, we talk everything and anything out.
As a media enthusiast, I follow virtually all discussion on national issues, both on television and radio. Sometimes, if not most, I unconsciously find myself watching Television and listening to the Radio at the same time.
Although, I was unable to watch the purported ECWA TV Station interview, where the duo of His Excellency Arch. Barnabas Bala (Bantex) and Hon. Jonathan Asake (President SOKAPU) were paired to discuss national issues, spot lighting on Southern Kaduna, which thereafter has become a trending issue on the cyberspace of Kaduna, I had to use the online video store (Youtube) to watch and listen keenly.
It’s pathetic that even after the honorable departure of Bala Bantex from the echelons of power since the 29th of May 2019, Bantex was still dragged and placed yet again in the eyes of the storm. The four years of Bantex as the Deputy Governor to Mallam Nasir Ahmed Elrufai (2015-2019) was indeed not a jolly-good ride,it was trubulent, stormy, and tasking for him, thanks to his kindred.
The Bible never recorded where the character Joseph, an Israelite whom through divine providence and arrangement was made a Prime Minister in Egypt suffered any form of humiliation from his brothers who had earlier sold him off as a slave, never did they despise him for serving under an Egyptian authority, while he was an Israelite. Connecting the dots on why a brother should be hated for serving in a government, that we perceive as not our kind of government, is totally absurd and irresponsible.
Bantex, ‘…was a different thing to many people; to some an enigma, to some a hero, to some a villain, loved by many, loathed by some, praised by many, maligned by some, to some he was impeccable and an astute leader, while to others he was a weakling’…
In his softspoken nature Bantex said at the interview; I will do two things, first apologize for trying to defend what I know, to the extend that I cannot convince my people. Secondly, I will take a “BOW from PARTISAN politics, haven done it before but pressurized to come back, by the grace of God, I think this time it will be different.
Sadly and pathetic to note, with rude shock actually, some armchair analyst and fifth columnists who don’t read to understand or listen to learn. Ignorantly picked the statement “Bow out of partisan politics”, they could only but pick two words from an hour interview, they placed it on a tray and there they go gloating and showing how ignorant they are.
May be they should know this, No true politician retires from politics, they can only choose not to via or contest for any elective office. Politicians don’t retire, they play politics till they age out, they permanently retire when they are no more.
Do these delusional fellows, know how many times the Obasanjo’s, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, and Goodluck Jonathan of this World have openly made pronouncement that they have taken a bow from partisan politics? Why have the likes of Balarabe Musa the erstwhile Governor of Kaduna state and his contemporaries not referred to as Retired Politicians? Despite leaving the echelons of powers for a very long time, he is still considered relevant and he is still playing an advisory role. Their likes are scarce and highly soughted after, in office and out of office, you can’t sweep their types into a “political refuge dump”, that’s if we have one.
A take-home for you, who have found joy and solace in the distorted statement that has been circulating that Bantex has retired from politics. You should know that he has just started his politics, many will Nicodemusly sneak in at odd hours to seek his wise counsel, advise, recommendations and guide on how to swim through the murky waters of politics, aspirants will sought after him for his blessings, the media will search for him, to share his experiences, ideas and thought as a former Deputy Governor, a successful legislator; who came, saw and conquered. In fact those who through him (Bantex) have attained power will always have cause to go back to his abode to show gratitude and appreciation.
The man was never an idle fish, if he was, Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai won’t have spotted the gold in him and call him to join him in steering the affairs of the state for four years.
Arch. Barnabas Bala Bantex, you have ran a good race, better days ahead.
Jesse David
Gadani Village
5th July 2020
