By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo
One of the burdens of being a StoryTeller is that even when you want to be on your own, minding your business, people will seek you out and tell you stories. And what good are stories if you cannot share them with others? A StoryTeller knows about a lot of things including about Political godfathers and their godsons. He always treasures an opportunity to tell a story.
When we were growing up in the Anglican Church, during Baptism, we were given godfathers. These days politicians who don’t even go to church have taken over the role of godfathers. The Anglican Church must do something about that.
Yesterday, when news filtered that godfather Nyesom Wike and godson, Gov Sim Fubara were meeting with the godfather – in- Chief to resolve the Rivers state crisis, I laughed. If you don’t know who the godfather – in – Chief is and you want me to name names, you must be a JOKER. okay, since you want to distract me, I will push you along to find some answers. Go to Epe in Lagos and help me ask Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, a man of figures like Sim Fubara why he did not get a second term as Governor of Lagos. when you are done with him, cross over to Suru lere to look for Barr. Babatunde Raji Fashola. You can politely ask him what he meant by not wanting to get into a mud fight with anybody after he was appointed Minister of Works, Power and Housing. If you still do not gerrit, please forget about it.
Let us get one fact straight as we proceed. A godfather will always remain a godfather. A godfather will never take sides with a renegade godson. A godfather will always take sides with a fellow godfather – whenever they meet both godfathers will look each other in the eyes and the message will be communicated. More is said in that look, than what others hear. Every other thing done and said is for show. Nobody cares how much the godson is paying any godfather. It’s their personal business, even though it is our money. it must be paid. End of story.
In the eyes of a godfather, a fellow godfather can do no wrong. The godson must always apologize and do the bidding and dictates of the godfather. Like in the mafia, the godfather is always right, and the godson can never be bigger than the godfather. So if you had thought that the godfather -would take sides with godson Sim Fubara against his godfather, Nyesom Wike, forget it. All of you thinking such are daydreamers. They will have to negotiate a settlement.
Get one fact clear today my dear friends. Godfathers are never gentlemen. ( There might be a few soft men in their ranks) They do not harbour emotions. They are hard men, stone cold. An agreement with them is an agreement and must be enforced either in peace or blood. They are masters of brute force. They can call out attack armies at any hour of the day to enforce their will. Justice is what they determine, they are the law. They bow only to a superior power that has an unrivaled capacity for violence. They never forget or forgive. They have people around who always remind them of godsons who need to be taught a lesson. They are patient.
A godfather is a punisher. When you mess up, you are thrown out of the inner circle, you have broken faith and can no longer be trusted. You have betrayed the brotherhood and your place will be in the outer courts. Your seat and privileges at the table taken over by another.
Godfathers are arrogant and oftentimes power-drunk. They are worshipped. And they know their worth. For every deserter, there are fifty better-qualified standing in line and there are perhaps another hundred more outside the gate- they are ready and willing to do anything to be allowed inside
Godfathers are also large-hearted. They never eat alone. Whether it’s food or drink or cash, they ensure there is an abundance for all faithfuls. They know the hold money has on people and it is the people around them that give them power and strength. Take away the people, and the godfather is just another man. They dish out money to their followers to ensure their loyalty and continued support. They can also cut you off and you will cease to exist. They play god, among men.
The godfather also protects his own. His reach is far and wide. He will go into dark crevices and unholy temples to seek help for a loyal godson. It all comes at a price. Nothing is ever free, you never stop paying.
Godfathers used to be very wealthy individuals, but of late another genre of godfathers have emerged. These days even people living in face me I face you can be a godfather. All it requires is for him to have a few boys who follow him everywhere. Car or no car, he will attend meetings in his rumpled, smelly Agbada feeling very important. These back-street godfathers do not belong to any political party. They follow anybody that comes. They support every candidate and attend every political campaign. They don’t talk much but they promise plenty and they reel out names of politicians they have helped to succeed and they hope you won’t forget them when you get there. They know you will. They have seen many like you before. big men who come to sit down with them and drink ogogoro only during election time. You can’t fool them, but they smile and play along.
These godfathers are prompt at meetings. In certain places, they will demand for a bottle of hot drink to appease the gods of the land. They will pour libation and keep the remainder under their chair. They say it’s for the elders. Story…
They are patient men. They will let you talk all the grammar and make many promises, they don’t really care. They came for the money and the food. So finish talking and declare what you brought. If you are not wise enough to bring money for them to share, you are in their black book. Next time you come nobody will respond. The godfather will pass the word around that you are a time waster. You won’t see a soul. The back street godfathers are that powerful. They can frustrate anybody in their domain.
Of course, there are also local government godfathers, senatorial godfathers, State godfathers, and The godfather-in-chief. Each godfather respects the other, they know themselves and they can change sides depending on what’s on the table. That is always the bottom line. The take home.
Back to Rivers state.
You Rivers people can stay at home and make all the noise. Politicians are issuing press releases on the crisis. It’s all grammar, take your destiny in your hands and tell Gov Sim Fubara that enough is enough, let Rivers money be for Rivers people and not for a godfather. i wish it was possible, but there is no man in Rivers State today who can call Wike to order, not one. Be assured they will resolve issues. When they will call your Governor at midnight and force him to kneel down, beg and settle you won’t be there. Watch and Pray. The StoryTeller has done his job.
By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo( The StoryTeller)
+2347054674906.
Email;/nigeria360online@gmail.com
