Mothers' cry (1994 - 1998) - Episode 10

 

Francis was saddled with responsibility to write editorial for Nigerian Voices, he was to write on the impending rallies that will hold in Lagos and Abuja, Lagos rally was organized by Olisa Agbakoba led United Action for Democracy. Agbakoba rally is to counter Abuja’s rally organized by Daniel Kanu, son of owner of Agura Hotel. Kanu under the umbrella of Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha, YEAA has promised to gather two million youths that will persuade Abacha to declare his intention to run in October election.

Agbakoba’s group has vowed to mobilize five million people to counter Kanu’s propaganda to the world that all Nigerian youths are behind Abacha’s self-succession plan.

Read " Talent on the Street " by the same author ( taiwo emmanuel )

. Francis remembered how Kanu boasted in his press conference that they won’t leave the arena until Abacha comes out to accept to run in the election, he knew politicians were behind Kanu’s rally, he was surprised that over five hundred million naira has spent on the rally, Julius Berger was saddled with logistics responsibility, notable musicians and sports personalities were drawn to perform at the rally. He concluded that Kanu is acting out script written by Pro-Abacha politicians, it was indeed biblical hand of Esau, voice of Jacob.

                                  THE BATTLE OF MILLION PEOPLE

During this our nation darkest political time, a time when vested interests have taken over our political arena, voices of wise men have been ignored, money bags politicians have purchased soul of yesteryear saints

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. Many voices speaking at the same time to Nigerians, every citizen has decided which resonate voice to hearken to in this perilous time.

National interest has been sacrificed on the slab of personal survival, national treasury has been empty by vultures seeking personal grip on political power. Nigeria is grasping for survival, she is crying for help but nobody is able to restore her. Haba! She is about to die but monsters within her are unrelenting, they have refused to listen to appeal from NADECO, Northern Elders have spoken in their wisdom but they have been ignored, Afenifere has warned about grave consequences that await the nation but great Aso-Rock Emperor has ignored them.

Emperor is enjoying lyrics by sycophants from his three musketeers from the three regions, each numero uno of their region, they are rich, they are close to power, they want to keep enjoying free flow of cash from Nation’s coffer, they will keep enjoying it if they can continue goading Abacha to run. Arisekola Alao calls the shot from the west, Dan Kobo holds sway in the North and Arthur Eze is the leader of the cliques from the East. Abacha’s self-perpetuation in office has become money spinner, everybody scrambling for crumbs from his table.

The battle is now about who can get million people to counter each other, Kanu is calling shots in Abuja, he promised to get two million youths in a rally to convince Abacha to run because he is the messiah Nigeria is waiting for, he has done better for Nigeria. He must stay back in office to offer his best. Olisa Agbakoba disagreed with him, Abacha has overstayed his usefulness, he must be asked to leave office or take step aside pie like Babaginda. He promised to gather five million people in Lagos to pass his message to Abacha in Abuja.

Francis dropped his pen when he remembered that his wife Salome will be part of Lagos rally, he was scared of brutality from over-zealous officers. He knew what would be outcome of Agbakoba and his million people.

“You don’t need to be part of this rally” he told Salome when she informed him that her Nigerians Arise group will be part of civil society that will march in Lagos state.

“It seems you haven’t seen those soldiers attacking protesters, this is not America where there is regard for human’s life” he continued.

“It is my life, I can do what I like with it” she snapped.

“I am the head of this family, I call the shot” he replied.

“There you go again” she waked away.