₦airaland Forum

With these words, Tinubu had affirmed that he was in the Presidential race for good. He would no longer be the one to 'crown' a Governor, a Minister or a President. He wanted to be the President. The Reactions Expectedly, there were many reactions to Tinubu's declarations. Many Nigerians expressed reservations about his health which was believed not to be virile enough to withstand the rigours required of the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief. It was therefore succint to state that there were many uproars in reaction to the declaration.

Some reverberations were felt even within the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). An interesting scenario was the declaration of Presidential interest by the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, who followed Tinubu's heels. Agitations about the declaration continued. While some people believed it should be the turn of the south to produce the next President, some people felt Presidency should be specifically micro-zoned to the south east.

The Ohaneze Ndigbo (the Igbo socio-cultural group) certainly was not happy with Tinubu's declaration. Earlier in December, 2021, the Publicity Secretary of the group, Chief Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, in an open letter, asked Tinubu to shelve his 2023 Presidential bid in order to 'preserve Nigeria's corporate existence.' He stated that Tinubu should key into the Igbo presidency and that. posterity would be kind to him if he toed the 'path of reason, conscience and equity.' He maitained that Tinubu would be embarking on a political adventure that 'lacks conscience and principle' if he should go ahead and contest (Nigerian Tribune, December 13, 2021).

She moved to the door.

 "Goodnight, Seyi." I nodded. "Good night, sister."  


*  *   

 I woke up on Thurday morning early as usual. I took my bath and dressed up in one of the clothes bought for me. By eight, Rose came around with a tray containing tea, coffee, fruit juice and digestive. 

"Good morning. Here's light meal for you." 

"Good morning, sister. How was your night?" She smiled. "Fine. Thanks for yesterday." 

"We thank God." 

I took the digestive and the pineapple juice. Many minutes later, she came to take the tray away. Our work-  shop started in earnest. 

The woman that came the previous day was around to present the first paper. This time around, she talked about Work Ethics. 

Thereafter, the routine continued. I noticed that Sharon barely looked at my side. During break when I asked if all was well with her, she answered curtly that there was no problem. 

She also appeared moody during the afternoon session. In the early part of the evening, she did not come around to my room, so I decided to pay her a visit in hers.

 When she saw that I was the one at the door, she neither shoo me off nor invited me inside. I entered nonetheless. 

"Will it not be better if you tell me what's bothering you?" I said gently. 

"Nothing is bothering me," she mumbled. 

"Really? But this is not the same Sharon I knew yesterday." 

She sat on the bed without saying a word. I could see that the room was the size of the one given to me, but the arrangement was different. 

I sighed. "Can we play scrabble?" I asked. 

She shook her head. I chuckled. She obviously  didn't want my company.

 "Okay, I can see that you are not in the mood. See you another time."

 I moved towards the door to take my leave. 

"How was she?" Sharon asked. 

I stopped to turn to her. "How was who?" She snickered.

 "You know who I'm talking about."

 I shook my head vehemently. "No, I don't know who you're talking about."

 She glared at me. "Did you have her all night long? Was Aunty Rose sweet?" 

Now I knew what she was talking about. I opened my mouth in awe.

 "Oh, you're surprised that I knew? Don't be. I came to your room to find the two of you in a love tango, hugging, kissing and romancing each other."

 Wow, so Sharon actually saw something. But then, she missed the point. I shook my head. 

"You're right we hugged, but there was never anything like kissing and romancing her." 

"Tell that to the marines," she scoffed. 

I was exasperated. How could I convince her that Rose was like a sister? How could I ...? 

"Why don't you go and meet her? Why are you here? You call yourself a Christian, but you grabbed  the sexy body of the first woman that threw herself at you."

 I was surprised at the extent of her bitterness. "If you had watched a bit more, you would have seen that the whole thing did not go beyond the hug."

It is six days to inauguration.

Emi L'okan: The Audacity of Entitlement

Toyin Raphael


The declaration of 'Emi L'okan' by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu means different things to different people. In the current phase of the state of polity, Nigerians await the best.





Nigeria, being the biggest democracy in Africa has always attracted global interest. By January, 2022, a lot of interests were building up towards the 2023 general elections. The ruling party, the All Progressive Congress wanted to hold on to the reign of power while the main opposition party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) angled to come back to power. There were speculations as to whether the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would contest or not.

On January 10, 2022, Tinubu formally declared his intention to run for the highest office in the land after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja. When he met with State House correspondents, Tinubu said it was his age-long ambition to be the Head of the country.

When asked if President Buhari supported his ambition, Tinubu said: 'He is a democrat. He didn't ask me to stop. He didn't ask me not attempt and pursue my ambition. It is a lifelong ambition; so why do I expect him to say more than that? You are running a democratic dispensation, and you must adopt the principles and the values and the virtues of democracy. That's it.'

On the role of being a kingmaker who now wanted to be the king, Tinubu had this to say: 'About the cap of the kingmaker, I've never seen the cap of a kingmaker before. That's the truth. And I've never seen where it is written in the rule book anywhere in any country that a kingmaker cannot be a king unless you commit murder. So, whatever is your attribute is your own opinion. I want to pursue my ambition without the title of a kingmaker. You can write your literature and your story based upon your own perception.'

With these words, Tinubu had affirmed that he was in the Presidential race for good.


Continue reading: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/emi-lokan-the-audacity-of-entitlement/53102

Her voice became sad again. 

“It's alright, no need to get sad over it. Many other guys will still tell you, because that's what you are - beautiful and attractive. Someone saying that should gladden your heart, not depress it." 

She nodded. "Thanks." 

I held her left hand and gently rubbed the back of her palm. "I have a brotherly view about all this. All I've done so far is to take you like a sister - a senior sister. Is it okay for me to take you as a sister?" 

There was only a brief pause. "It's okay." I smiled at her. "Thanks for granting me that. Believe me, I will be a good brother and friend to you." 

I stopped to study her. She was attentive and sober. 

“As I said, don't let anything or anyone disturb your life or happiness. Whatever happens, we move on." 

She nodded. "Thanks so much, Seyi. I really appreciate." 

I nodded too. "That's the spirit. Now, give me a smile." 

I gently tickled her side. She giggled. I did it a little bit more and she laughed. 

That's the spirit," I repeated. "Thanks a lot. "Your words have really helped." 

She stood up and I followed suit. "Can you give me a hug?" She asked. 

“Why not? With all pleasure." 

I gave her the hug. She clung onto me tightly. It was  the longest hug I had ever had. I could the feel curviness of her body against mine. It was an enthralling scene and moment.

 By providence -yes, by providence - I had learnt not to be swayed by senses. I could conrol how my body reacted to what I saw or felt. 

I was man enough not to capitulate to the desires of the flesh. After what seemed like ages, she finally disengaged from me. 

"Seyi, thank you so much. I'll never forget this." 

I smiled and patted her. "To God be the glory." 

She moved to the door.

 "Goodnight, Seyi." I nodded. "Good night, sister."

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