Moji and Chigozie stared at each other within the four-sectioned cubicle, which they occupied in the Newsroom. Almost in unison, they sighed in relief. Today, after all, was a Friday. The week had been hectic. As far as news goes, the situation was something of a roller-coaster. The newsroom was virtually aflame. The place had to contend with various news items in quick succession. It was even so difficult to keep track. There was for instance, the visit of President Buhari to the Lagos Railway Station. This was followed by another visit to Apapa. The gridlock, which characterised that place, was magically eased! This was another news item.
The visit itself bordered on the historic. Since the President was in town to flag off the formal resumption of the Rail line from Lagos to Ibadan. For many members of my generation, it was a revival of sorts. But for those who are, say, my daughter’s age group, it was History. They had never experienced rail travel before, yet it was happening before their very eyes. As the newshounds took on this old-new situation, the President decided to grant an interview to one of the local news outlets. This was clearly something of a rarity.
More often than not, what we had was an aloof President. It was a sphinx-like profile which left Nigerians, wondering as to what was going on. Since nature abhors a vacuum, some characters had to fill the void. So enter the trio of: Femi Adesina, Garba Shehu and Lai Mohammed. Between and among these information managers, policy positions and perspectives came forth. Nigerians were confused. We voted for ‘Sai Baba’, and not these people. Let him speak and in the process, let him speak up. It was an eerie situation which in a way defined our democracy in the ongoing Buhari era.
Speaking up, meant constant engagement between the leader and the led. Clearly, this situation was absent. But trust some Nigerians, they would have none of it. The more silent the President became, the more the pressure piled up. And so, the President eventually caved in and I believe it was good for him. Some have gone as far as to say that the interview was heavily choreographed. This may be well true. Still, it offered some insight into the President’s mind. What was particularly striking was the revelation by one of the interviewers, after the exercise. According to him, in the course of the exchanges with the President, it was clear that, contrary to the popular impression, the President is fully aware of all the happenings around him and in the country.
Rather, he has chosen to remain silent as a matter of strategy with a view to possibly wrong-foot his critics. For this much is clear, his withdrawal and silent profile must have been really frustrating to those who wished to take him on. Still, I am not willing to put all my money on the impressions of the interviewer. This is because, in the course of the same week, there was this interesting revelation from Frank Kokori, the Labour Leader.
According to him, he lost the Chairmanship of a particular agency because those around Buhari shut him off from the job, even after he had been publicly named for the national assignment. And he went on to reveal how his efforts to see the President on the issue proved abortive. So you then begin to ask, is our man in charge? The puzzle remains open.
Just as we were about to unravel the knot, something unexpected came up again. President Buhari addressed the nation on June 12, which by the way, was his creation. Predictably, he spoke and dwelt on issues like insecurity and separatism. But according to one analyst on Channels TV, nothing was said by the President on the vexed issue of corruption. And you therefore wonder, based on the analyst’s observation; has corruption won again? I hope not. What was also interesting from the point of the news folks was that Democracy Day provided an opportunity for aggrieved and disaffected individuals to vent their feelings which, by the way, is good for Democracy.
But the other side decided not to take chances. They were battle-ready with the usual contraptions for contending such situations. And in a few cases, things got dramatic. Tear-gas fumes were to be seen, with demonstrators fleeing the scene. It was democracy in action. The birth pangs of nationhood were at play. Let us face it, the demonstrators did nothing wrong, as long as they were peaceful. On the same day and beyond Nigeria, was the contrasting situation in London. In this former imperial capital, Nigerians were on the streets, seeking for an Oduduwa nation, in the spirit of Democracy too!
On the other hand, demonstrators were largely absent in the South-East. Apparently, Democracy within the framework of Nigeria was not for them. Rather, and earlier on, the Eastern wing of Nigeria had been shut down by the Apostles of Separatism. We had on our hands, a case of different strokes, different folks. And talking of the entire situation, there is misconception on both sides about the essence of Democracy. On the part of State organs, the attitude was that there must be no demonstration, whereas, this is wrong! In a Democracy, people must have the right to air their grievances albeit, peacefully. Which is why, one of the status-quo forces, the Oyo State governor, skilfully seized the moment by marching with the demonstrators.
This was another news item in itself; when the ‘oppressor’ decides to align with the oppressed. And this must have stolen the thunder from the arsenal of the demonstrators. Meanwhile, some of the demonstrators, in their bid to vent their spleen on Buhari also got it wrong. ‘Buhari must Go’ placards were to be seen. This is a mere wish. Buhari can only go through constitutional protocols, simply because this is a Democracy. Taken together, the news folks must have been really busy.
For while they were still trying to stay on top of the news, in the post Twitter ban era; they also had to contend with a full plate as sketched above. There is something good in all these. All said and done, a frenzied week like this, does not come often. They must have enjoyed the situation while it lasted. And as such, on a day like this, a Friday, the unmarried duo of Moji and Chigozie, must be looking forward to a blissful weekend-and not necessarily together! The reader must not allow his imagination to run riot here. But, one cannot even guarantee the prospect of a blissful weekend for these two. Such is the frenzied and unexpected nature of the job that this relatively sedate situation can only be assumed.
However, dear reader, you are neither Moji nor Chigozie. So you are insulated from this life of uncertainty. On this and other Fridays, your blissful weekend is therefore assured. Soak it in!
