A Forensic Analysis Of The Orubebe's Drama

There is something about actions, they can be chosen. There is something about actions taken, they birth reaction(s). There is something about reactions, they can't be chosen. In a simple language, why we can choose our action, we cannot choose the reaction.

In the history of Nigeria, it is certain that the 2015 General election would not be forgotten in a moment. While this assertion may be bought by every Nigerian, the reason may differ in the opinion of individuals. For the purpose of simplifying this analysis, individuals with a dogged determination to achieve their goals may see it as a year that unrelenting determination paid off for the retired General. For some, it was a year that paved way for the populace to speak through the ballot. In some quarters, it is the year of the emergence of their democratic hero- President Jonathan. For the last, reservations abound. I object to an attempt at making Jonathan a hero for the purpose of a soft landing. I don't know about America, but in Nigeria, no tenant becomes a hero by vacating the apartment at the expiration of his rent. However, it is a sheer waste of emotion to observe a minute of silence for a deceased whose penchant for noise while alive is insatiable.

Personally, I do not have anything against the person of President Jonathan. In fact, I like to see sons and daughters of fishermen, taxi drivers, petty traders and others on that divide of the struggle attaining the incredible heights. Nevertheless, I take offence when attaining that height drives them stupour. I also do not have anything for General Buhari, I only shared the sentiment that things must not continue in the Jonathan's way. I waited for a public event that would demand that I talk about the President of Nigeria for the whole of 2014, but I could not attend any that I was invited for. I was waiting to embarrass President Jonathan because he has embarrassed long-suffering Nigerians and Nigeria. I was waiting to be asked questions like 'who is the President of Nigeria?' or maybe to make a remark about the President of Nigeria. In my crazy moment, I would have replied that Nigeria do not have a President. To be diplomatic, but to the consternation of many, I would have replied that I do not know the President of Nigeria. I could say that anywhere, even on a quiz floor. I know nations with leaders and none is governed like ours. I do not know shadow leaders, I know leaders who are strong-willed to act irrespective of whose ox will be gored.

Like you, a couple of events that made the moment have been archived in a bid to take a hint from life. Beyond the happiness for Jonathan's loss and the fear of Buhari's possible 'tsunamic' approach to corruption, I have picked an event in the whole politicking drama- The Orubebe Saga. It does deserve a second examination after the whole dust has gone down.

Lately, I stopped concerning myself with what people do. I try to understand their reason(s) and purpose(s). In the beauty of the time-honoured aphorism in Yoruba, the myth of the dragonfly dancing on the water surface comes to mind. For the purpose of this forensic work, elder Orubebe is the dragonfly here. It is believed that attempts to allay the fear of stream goers by making the dragonfly vacate was futile. Then, after consulting the oracle, it dawned on the villagers that the dragonfly's dance of humour was not without the motivation of an unrelenting drummer deep down in the stream. In short, elder Orubebe's public display had the blessing of one or two political drummers. The question here- did elder Orubebe pause to consider his status before doing such a dirty act without gloves? I mean this is someone's father. He is someone's husband. He is an elder in a community, this is the 21st century, and we have the media everywhere!

In the execution of his assignment, elder Orubebe made a lot of inflammatory statements. To elder Orubebe, Jega was compromised, he was partial, he was used. All those did not really matter, especially when you are used to the types of statements made by Lagos bus conductors. The most sensitive statement and most crucial moment was when elder Orubebe requested Jega to 'go and reply him (Orubebe) from his office.' Jega could reply Orubebe, but it must not be from his office. Replying from his office would have been the electoral error of the millennium. Here is the reason, there is a possibility that if Jega had left the ICC for his office, the election would have been rendered inconclusive by machineries 'possibly' put in place. By then, Jega would be away from our curious glares. For 'security' purpose, he could have been prevented from continuing the process. In fact, it might take him till today to reply people like elder Orubebe because it is easy to wake a sleeping person but not a person feigning sleep.

Few days later, elder Orubebe discovered the damage his public conduct did to the Orubebe's family. He saw himself being celebrated as the celebrity of official irresponsibility. Then, he issued a statement that could best be described as a campaign after an election. In the statement, elder Orubebe massaged his own tiny ego. He reminded us of his role in the Niger-Delta peace discourse. He told those of us that are not aware, that he is an elder in his church. Then, someone beside me asked 'what more could rebrand elder Orubebe if he could forget his political status and religious one to disrupt a legal process?' For this phase, no matter what the revered elder did, the election saga would always come to mind when the name Orubebe is mentioned. Not many was there when he went to the creek, not many knew him as a minister, not many knew him as an elder in the church, but everybody is aware that he is deft at disrupting due processes and sitting on the floor.

Through Jega, the world has learnt that proper management of people won't always make an angry action trigger an outrageous reaction. For Jega, elder Orubebe's display was an avenue for him to exhibit his classy professorial and professional ethics. Indeed, Jega is an impressive revelation of the 21st century! Jega's composure was epic, it should be made a compulsory course in our educational institution. It made the voice of the town crier merely tangential to the process at hand.

His response was legendary and accurate. I cannot but admit that he is a different breed of Nigerian, far distinct from an ordinary one time-minister struggling for a summary show in the arena of relevance. The name Jega should become a word in every language which could be used to describe an exceptional display of intelligence and composure in the midst of troubles sponsored by the power that be.