It is only the politically naive that will be
surprised by the event that rocked the ruling
party, leading to the emergence of Bukola Saraki
as the Senate President and bringing the almost
comatose Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into
political relevance.

The crisis in the All Progressives Party (APC)
was long in the waiting, having survived the
keenly contested Presidential Primaries and the
emotionally laden exercise that produced it’s
Vice Presidential candidate, Professor Yemi
Osinbajo. However, what was not expected and
was evidently surprising was the dramatic
dimension it took when it ultimately occurred.
It will be an understatement to say that the
hurriedly and craftily planned legislative coup
that led to the emergence of the immediate past
Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu from the main
opposition party which gave three out of the
initial four positions (including majority and
minority leaders) to the former Peoples
Democratic Party (old-PDP) members or
members of the new-PDP if you like; sent jitters
to the spines of average Nigerians, particularly
those who voted for Chance and have hinged
their hope of the smooth sailing of President
Muhammadu Buhari’s Change Agenda on a very
cooperating Legislature.
Otherwise, how on earth would the first section
of the Senate that was supposed to have the full
representation of all the Senators-elect with
family members and their well wishers be
composed of just half of the expected members
with about eighty percent of members of the
ruling party in absence.
Saraki was elected, nay selected by 58 of the
109 senators on June 9 with most of his party
members absent but with the support of the
minority PDP, the Party he left because of its
highhandedness.
As the event was unfolding live via broadcast
media, it reminded many Nigerians of Orubebe
phenomenon as they began to express concern
on the real intentions of Saraki and his group-
refusing to accept it as mere intra party
politicking. Some queried: if the new-PDP, the
old-PDP and the current-PDP are effectively in
control of the National Assembly, would they not
constitute a blockade to the anti-corruption
crusade of Buhari? And to some, it will be a cog
in the wheel of progress of sanitizing the polity.
Nigerians simply pray that the gang up of "old
friends" will not spell a doom for the anti
corruption crusade of PMB.
Perhaps, the most worrisome aspect of the
intrigue which the ruling party referred to as
‘treachery’ was the concessioning of sensitive
positions like Deputy Senate President.
Critics believe Saraki went too far and that not
even in the most advanced democracies of the
United States of America, United Kingdom or
Australia has such an experience been recorded.
Many could not believe that APC politicians
would jettison their party’s wishes and connive
with the same party that Nigeria brazenly
rejected at the polls for their impunity, corruption
and mis-governance due to their own personal
interests.
Saraki’s betrayal was further strengthened by his
utter disrespect for the party leaders like the
Tinubus, the Oyeguns, the Baba Akandes, the
Kwankasos, the Okorochas, the Ndas among
others; in addition to his humiliation of the Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo as well as the shunning
and dishonouring of President Muhammadu
Buhari’s call for reconciliation at the
International Conference Center (ICC), Abuja.
In fact, this made the elder statesmen of the
2015 National Peace Committee to come to the
rational conclusion that the process that led to
the election of the key principal officers of the
Senate was faulty and “unacceptable”.
The Committee which played a pivotal role in
ensuring peaceful elections and facilitated a
peace pact between former President Goodluck
Jonathan and his then challenger President
Muhammadu Buhari also spearheaded the post-
election peace management.
The Committee said it was important for the
highest legislative body to uphold ‘moral
authority and values’. Given the maturity, track
record and experience of the body, the
Committee wondered why a routine process
turned into an ugly, selfish dogfight.
“This is unacceptable to Nigerians. It neither
dignified the Senate nor does it honor what
Nigerians voted for. It is not the way to thank
God for what He has done to those who were
lucky to be elected to that high offices, nor does
it honour what He has done to our country,” they
concluded.
The event was a quick reminder of the dreaded
Ajagungbale phenomenon that is rapidly gaining
popularity in Lagos and in some parts of Ogun
State.
Ajagungbale literally means: He who fights a war
to secure the land. Ajagungbale is a dreaded war
lord, deeply connected in government arena,
(including the police, SSS and military), judiciary
and social circles. He is much feared because he
controls the Area Boys, as well as the Area
Fathers and is of course, highly fortified with
very potent charms. Hence, nobody crosses his
part or challenges his decision whenever he lays
his hands on any land!
However, as dreadful as the Ajagungbale is, he
does not and will never trespass on any piece of
land until he is invited by a member of the family
(close or distant) who owns the land. Once
invited, (out of disagreement or disputations
among the members of the family who either feel
aggrieved or cheated by another arm/branch of
the immediate or extended family in the
distribution of the land), Ajagungbale moves in
to take ownership of the property and sends out
from the land, the initial landlord(s), who for
safety hurriedly vacate the land. If the
Ajagungbale is the generous type, he then
apportions half of the land to the aggrieved and
takes over the rest.
The Ajagungbale does not collect money for
wages. He will also be the one to sell or help
dispose any part of the land allocated to the new
landlord should he intend to sell his portion. He
of course, provides security for the land. Since
land appreciates with time, the Ajagungbale is
never in a hurry to leave the land until the last
piece is sold; and should the old-Landlord
decides to make trouble, the Ajagungbale is ever
battle ready to engage in a long-drawn judicial
duel.
Dear Senator Bukola Saraki, this is the fear of an
average Nigeria and those lovers of Change who
voted your party.
I am one of your fans and I believe in your
intellectual prowess. I think you are vibrant and
brilliant enough to lead the National Assembly,
but my fear is that you may have inadvertently
invited Ajagungbale into the family you labored
to nurture and grow into maturity and success.
Nigerians won’t forget so quickly how you
constructively engaged the former regime and
brought many corruption cases to the fore. They
will also not forget your immense contribution to
the formation of APC and the eventual successful
election that led to the collapse of the wickedly
corrupt and directionless PDP.
There is no doubt, you are of the PDP extraction
(old PDP). Yes, you are of the new-PDP. Yes,
you have every constitutional right to be the
Senate President. However, do you know that
your action rather portrays your party leaders as
unwise, uncoordinated, lack of foresight and
politically naïve? By ingloriously securing,
through scheming and parleying with the ‘devils’,
what you probably would have honorably
achieved with negotiation at the ICC in Abuja,
you have already portrayed yourself as a spoiler,
representing those who did not wish Nigeria and
the President well. Some even interpreted your
action as an attempt to tame Senator Bola
Tinubu and cut him down, an objective you
perhaps never set out to achieve.
Your exploit also led others to fault the non
interfering stance of PMB. They said that if he
had interfered, you would have been adopted
based on your desperation and a loyal member
of the APC would have emerged as your Deputy
instead of Ekweremadu.
Senator Saraki, you must realize that the defunct
CPC and ACN used to settle amicably, in
distributing the spoils of war after political
battles were won, but the PDP schemes and
engages in treachery. The 'amicable settlement
approach' has sustained the progressives till
now, so those of the PDP extraction must learn
the new art/way wrought by the 'common sense
revolution'.
Many wise people in Nigeria have nevertheless
realized that Tinubu’s and the Oyegun’s position
are more justified because when the chips are
down, they will have nowhere to go should APC
breaks or be defeated in the next election (God
forbid); but you and your colleagues along with
other political prostitutes could find your way
back to other opposition parties where you
would be warmly received with red carpet.
Therefore, be aware that Tinubu and Buhari
remain the two main pillars of the APC while you
and your other colleagues must recognize
yourselves as the necessary accessories that
complement the foundation laid by the duo.
Hence, they deserve all the respect and honour.
The only thing that can sustain the relationship
is mutual trust.
My dear Senate President, it is pertinent for you
to note that this singular deed of yours has
made many doubt your sincerity. With the
ensuing events that trailed your major ‘election’-
your recalcitrance to read the APC letter at the
plenary as well as your outright obstinacy and
refusal to acknowledge the party’s supremacy,
under whose banner and goodwill you contested
and won your election to the Senate- some have
actually come to believe that you are either a
fifth columnist or a malleable tool in the hands
of the detractors of APC and by extension,
enemies of Nigeria and the much desired
Change. My prayer is that, contrary to the
expectation of many, the fusion of the APC and
the PDP members into the formation of the
principal officers of the Senate will eventually
translate into a ‘Government of National Unity’
for Nigeria and facilitate a quick realization of
your party’s Change Agenda and Buhari’s anti-
corruption crusade.
As a full-blooded Yoruba son, I urge you to
remember the popular saying that: “If a home is
at peace and does not witness crisis, it is only
because the bastard in the household has not
attained maturity.” Just as it is held in Yoruba
land, only a bastard will connive with and invite
an Ajagungbale to his father’s land whenever he
is aggrieved with his siblings.
Like a prodigal son, your father’s big house is
fervently awaiting your glorious repentance and
you can be sure of the elders’ magnanimity as
well as the warm embrace of your brethren.
Go and sin no more.
Yinka Salaam
Voice of Nigeria,

K

He is a bastard who's dreaming of becoming President the guy is delusional