We have a new pope !!

There we were at Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge at 2 Preserve Parkway, Rockville Maryland 20852, in the US enjoying a sumptuous traditional American branch.  For those with more taste, the menu boldly offered lobsters from Boston; giant prawns from New Orleans; succulent Texas steak (16 ounces); soul food from North Carolina, etc.

To our utter surprise all American television and radio stations carried a live broadcast of the speech by  Muhammadu Buhari:

“The die is cast”

We shall strongly battle another form of evil that is even worse than terrorism – the evil of corruption.

Corruption attacks and seeks to destroy our national institutions and character.  By misdirecting into selfish hands funds intended for the purpose, corruption distorts the economy and worsens income inequality.  It creates a class of unjustly-enriched people.

Such an illegal yet powerful force soon comes to undermine democracy because its conspirators have amassed so much money that they believe they can buy the government.  We shall end this threat to our economic development and democratic survival.

I repeat that corruption will not be tolerated by this administration; and it shall no longer be allowed to stand as if it is a respected monument in this nation.  it is not entitled to a nigerian passport !!”

The result of the Nigerian election was announced on 1st April 2015 right in the midst of America’s irreverent preoccupation with silly pranks and genuinely funny jokes to fool the unwary on April fool’s day.  Zain Archer and Jean Moose deserve medals for announcing as:  breaking news:

“Habemus papam”   [we have a new pope] !!

Next was a Skype live feed of  Muhammed Buhari delivering his acceptance speech as the President of Nigeria.

It was the prerogative of John Stewart who has a following of one million viewers on the “Daily Show” (Comedy Central) to deliver the epilogue/epitaph (by I Isiguzo, Chairman editorial board of the “Vanguard” newspaper:

“Buhari also illustrates in our times the Japanese concept of resilience – you fall seven times and get up eight times.  Many expected him to keep falling down.  The epitaph to this story would be about a general, thrown out by his colleagues and returning to subject himself to the dictates of civil rule, including a motley crowd of 469 members of the National Assembly who would subject his moves and moods to scrutiny.”

Among the ex-KPMG partners who were savouring the amazing turn of events in Nigeria, the consensus was that we should suspend belief until the White House had issued an official statement.  We did not have to wait too long.  President Barack Obama delayed his flight to Chicago where he was expected to drum up support for Mayor Rahon Emanuel and proceeded to issue the following statement on the lawn of the White House.

“On behalf of the American people, I extend congratulations to the people of Nigeria and to President-Elect Buhari and look forward to continuing to work with the newly-elected government on our many shared priorities.

The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles.

By turning out in large numbers and waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country, peacefully.

I commend President Goodluck Jonathan and President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign.

President Jonathan placed his country’s interests first by conceding the election and congratulating President-Elect Buhari on his victory.

I look forward to working with president Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesman like conduct at this critical juncture.

I urge President-Elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigerian through a peaceful transition.

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, deserve special recognition for what independent international observers have deemed a largely peaceful and orderly vote.

I commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.”

The President was rewarded with a standing ovation when he paid a special tribute to the Senior Elder Citizens:

“I also want to thank ex-partners of KPMG who have been patently waiting for their gratuity and retirement benefits.  I commend their patriotic sense of decorum and their steadfastness as well as their perseverance.  The United States of America will weigh in on the side of justice and fairness.  I need say no more at this stage.  However, the Justice Department will thoroughly investigate the allegation regarding the role played by a former Consul-General Robyn Hinson-Jones and her spouse during their tenure in Nigeria.”

On CNN’s “breaking news” -the erudite Professor Adebayo Williams, was at his vintage best – as scholarly and cerebral as always.  He truly dazzled when he declared his verdict directly to Richard Quest:

“General Buhari has inherited a country polarized and badly divided along ethnic, religious and regional fault lines.  A vicious insurgency has completely devastated the north-eastern fringe of the nation.  To compound matters, the economy has virtually collapsed and the treasury badly burglarized.”

This prompted the question:  “So why are you celebrating?”

Answer:    “I have always been a contrarian” !!

J.K Randle