By Gabriel Edicha
Fraternal greetings to my dear people of Igala kingdom.
I am constrained to humbly express myself as regards the embarrassing blame games, war of words, unholy flying comments, dubious aspersions, blackmail, malicious fabrications, derogatory utterances and antagonistic partisan politics trailing various Igala platforms on the social media. These have further deepened the wounds arising from our past mistakes as a people. It is not our mistakes that matter most. It is our inability to rise above them. Our mistakes should preach to us about our future.
We should be readily available to discuss, address and decide on issues relating to Igala kingdom without fear or favour. Our observations, criticisms, submissions, expressions should be humble and dignifying enough, to build relationships and address issues constructively and objectively.
In the words of Professor Wole Soyinka about Nigeria, let not the conversation of the people of the kingdom be likened to the “dialogue of the deaf”. Let us access and analyse our weaknesses and strength, and approach issues with focus on remedy. Dry bone shall rise again! At a time like this, when democratic systems and the associated institutions of governance are weak, it becomes imperative for us to reason together.
My common sense begs the following questions:
*Do we care to know the global and national trend of events and the impending danger?
*Do we care to know that we have leadership question in our kingdom today?
*Do we care to know that our people are delving into politics inordinately, blindly, unfocused, ill equipped and without capability?
*Do we care to collectively free “our captives” and take responsibility for where we are today?
*Do we care to set aside incubated venoms and celebration of individual successes, and form a nucleus with the kingdom at heart?
*Do we care to know that most of us want to reap from where we did not sow?
*Do we care to know that all of us must not be governor at the same time?
*Do we care to know that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers?
*Do we care to know that power without vision and mission leads to inevitable abuse?
*Do we care to know that mediocrity is being celebrated presently?
*Do we care to know that the blood of late Dr Stephen Achema and Prince Abubakar Audu are crying from their graves?
*Do we care to know that our divergent views and acrimony on our various platforms on social media are doing more harm than good to the much needed love and unity?
*Do we care to know that the words of reasonable and experienced elders are words of wisdom and knowledge?
*Do we care to know that a straying dog may hardly hear the hunter’s whistle?
*Do we care to know that most of the platforms are composed of mixed multitude, where most members consider the container rather than the contents?
*Do we care to know (surprisingly and sadly indeed) that the elites are compromising and have actually capitulated?
*Do we care to know that most ‘royal fathers’ have turned ‘loyal fathers’?
The kingdom is lamenting and weeping, Somebody help – THE KINGDOM IS BLEEDING!
LET US GO BACK TO THE ROUNDTABLE, but, not on these infested social media platforms where bad blood and acrimony have become the order of the day. The platforms are aggravating our problems. We are more divided by the platforms, than without it.
God bless Igala kingdom.
