Have you heard the new coinage in town? February has been turned to FeBuhari by lovers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari. And what does it mean in Yoruba language? ‘Fe’ is love, or deep affection. Therefore, in that neologism, what the people are saying is that they love Buhari, and in February, they would show that love. Also, rather coincidentally, the presidential election holds on February 14, which is Saint Valentine’s Day, a day set aside to celebrate love. So, it is love all the way on February 14, (oh, sorry, FeBuhari 14). And from a most unlikely person, ineffable love was shown to Gen. Buhari earlier this week. If anybody should nurse a giant-sized grudge, indeed, an ocean of gall and bitterness against the former military head of state, it should be Tunde Ozemoya Thompson, the Nigerian journalist jailed under the infamous Decree 4, promulgated by the Buhari regime in 1984. Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor worked with The Guardian Newspapers, and in February (that month again!) 1984, had filed an exclusive story on impending diplomatic postings, which involved some top military brass. The report also included some foreign missions that were to be closed down, and those who would be retired. The government took offence. Thompson was the first to be arrested by the Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), precursor to the State Security Service (SSS), and Irabor was later brought to join him. The ordeal lasted for months, and ended in a one-year jail term handed to the duo. They served it. Now, about 31 years later, how does Thompson feel about the man who kept him out of circulation in Kirikiri prisons for more than a year? One would have expected Thompson to spew bile and vitriol on the man from Daura, in an interview he granted Sunday Sun, this week. If he did that, it would just be natural, and quite human. The hen has upturned my medicine pot, I must break her eggs too. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth! God no go vex. But Thompson disarmed me, sent me into deep reflection and meditation, with his response: “I do not see why at this time people are trying to make political capital out of what happened in 1984. Apart from that, it was an issue in 2011 election. Between 2010 and 2011, people kept saying this over and over again. I think it is now over 30 years, people should learn to be charitable; they should learn to be forgiving; they should learn to let bygone be bygone.” Jumping Jehosaphat! Is Thompson actually saying he has forgiven his jailer? Will he then endorse the man’s aspiration to rule the country again? Hear the veteran journalist: “The fear of a few people who have plundered the treasuries of this country should not be allowed to hinder our economic progress and political transformation. I think Buhari has shown humility… I will not like people to use Decree 4 as an excuse to deny somebody, who can help bring discipline through democratic means to Nigeria, another opportunity of getting to the position of president of this country. I think God is getting tired of the injustice in this country, that is why some of us are seeing the reason we have to rally round the man and support him… I am very happy that you raised the issue about what my position is on somebody who put me in jail. I think 30 years is long enough, we should forgive and forget.” Holy Moses! What golden words from a golden heart. It is akin to a woman falling in love with a man who had raped her brutally, and agreeing to marry him. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” I thought it was only Jesus that was capable of this kind of forgiveness. Oh, I remember Stephen. He was being stoned to death for being a disciple of Jesus, and before his last breath left his nostrils, he prayed: “Lay it not to their charge, oh Lord.” That is also what Tunde Thompson has done. He has taught us a vital lesson, a divine one, something completely out of this world. It is unnatural, almost aberrant and anomalous. But isn’t this what God actually expects of all His creation? To err is human, to forgive divine. BY Olusesan Ekisola
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 08:33:23 +0000
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