Mr Reuben Abati used to be a tireless opponent of the government. He was like a conscience to the government, a little voice that wouldn't shut up. I loved him like that. Every day I'd log unto odili.net, hoping to read his newest article. I'd copy and save the really inspiring articles, well they were all inspiring but some of them were jaw breaking, dropping, awesomely inspiring. Once I'd read the article I'd call my dad to discuss the 'always valid' points Mr Abati made. He made me want to be a better person in my country. He was a human institution/icon in the good governance debate. His weekly columns lambasting the government were like manna from a righteous God feeding a mentally starving and degraded population. His columns could turn the weakest man into a political activitist.
Nothing lasts forever, something always gives and in true fashion he changed. He accepted a government position and it went downhill from there. The man that spoke the truth when other Nigerians were scared to did a 360,000 degree turnaround on us, we were totally blind sided and no one saw it coming. Now Mr Abati feeds us the lies from our government. He's good though, no doubt that's why they chose him. A parasitic relationship if I may say so myself, Abati-0, government-1. Someone in the relationship had foresight at least (even if it was the wrong party). It is always so funny when his past anti government articles appear on the internet to coincide with his current spin statements on behalf of the government. This is a classic case of putting your mouth where your money is (self- preservation technique). No one does it better than Mr Abati.
One of my favourite books is Anthills of the Savannah by Chinua Achebe. It tells the story of three best friends who go on to play important roles in their country. Sam becomes the dictatorial head of state, Chris, one of Sam's minsters and most trusted advisors. Lastly, there is Ikem, the editor of the national newspaper. He was a tireless opponent of the government, friendship notwithstanding. The book weaves the story of how their relationship evolved and changed within the confines of their roles. Now imagine, if Ikem had joined forces with the government, Achebe purposely, in describing their relationship alluded to the criticism of Ikem as keeping Sam in check, and the relationship between Sam and Chris as creating a monster.
It might just be too late for Abati. He was a Saviour with his writing and you either loved him or hated him. I, we loved him then. Now how can you love or even respect someone who has aligned himself with everything you despise? As the chief spin master of the government, Abati has desecrated the hallowed position he once occupied, the people's spokesman. His is now a dunghill on the savannah. Now occupying the hallowed position of Mr Abati in the minds and hearts of the Nigerian people is the Thursday Punch Columnist Abimbola Adelakun. This woman writes with fire and fevour. She is the sole reason to buy Thursday Punch with the exception of the front page headlines. Her writing fears and favours no one, which is how Nigerian politics should be. I wish her all the best and pray that she continues on her quest for truthfulness because I am sure I speak for quite a lot of people when I say Nigerians are tired of amala politics and amala writings.
