Day politicians and the literati answered Okediran’s call

Wale Okediran’s latest book, Tenant’s of the House, (Nelson Publishers) always has the potential to stir up controversies as it gives a unique insight into the politicking, corruption, intrigues, scheming, betrayal and political horse- trading that has been the hall mark of Nigeria’s legislature since 1999. What many Nigerians have only previously speculated about has […]

Wale Okediran’s latest book, Tenant’s of the House, (Nelson Publishers) always has the potential to stir up controversies as it gives a unique insight into the politicking, corruption, intrigues, scheming, betrayal and political horse- trading that has been the hall mark of Nigeria’s legislature since 1999. What many Nigerians have only previously speculated about has been revealed in fascinating details by an insider. Okediran was a member of the House of Representatives between 2004 and 2007. Though he decided to fictionalise the events in the novel by changing names, some of the characters were easily recognisable as a playlet from the novel revealed.

The audience, a rich array of Okediran’s reach into various spheres of life, comprised members of the House of Representatives from across political divides, senators, professors, a healthy representation from the medical community, even the diplomatic corps was not left out. And of course there was Okediran’s primary constituency, the writers’ body, of which he was president until late last year. They came in numbers to support the award winning writer, medical doctor and politician. The occasion was chaired by Dr. Abraham Nwankwo DG, Debt Management Office.

The audience was given a sampling of the book’s enjoyable and revealing content by no less a personality than Eugenia Abu, ace broadcaster and writer. She read from chapter eight of the book, revealing the desperation and intrigues of the politicians representing Nigerians. It was humorous and engaging. The politicians in the audience squirmed. Despite the fictitious names, they, like everyone else in the gathering, could recognise themselves by their character traits and actions. Little wonder some of them have accused the author of being a spy planted in the house to expose their dubious dealings.

After Mrs. Abu’s reading, the No Name theatre group had the audience laughing by enacting scenes from the novel. It centred on moves by the president to have the speaker of the house impeached. It had all the trappings of the drama that is daily playing out on the floors of the house and those pulling the strings behind the stage. Okediran had termed it ‘stranger than fiction’.

The actual book presentation was done by Dr. Jerry Agada, President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA) whose Abuja branch organised the event. He spoke glowingly of the author and to counter the assertion that writers don’t buy other writers, he bought a copy of the book for N50,000.

Then a mild drama followed. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello took to the podium. She spoke at length about how she came to know Okediran after she came to the senate in 2007. By that time, he had left the house. She gave details of how Okediran was recommended to be a consultant to the Senate Committee on Health, she spoke a lot about Okediran’s job and a little about the book for which the audience had gathered and then she left the podium – without the book.

The MC, Benjamin Ubiri thought to remind the senator to commit to the book. He suggested she procure a thousand copies for her constituency but the senator vigorously shook her head. He still entreated and she shook her head more vigorously to show the extent of her determination.

Since she did not say why, one could only guess at her reason. From the playlet earlier and Eugenia Abu’s reading, it was very easy to recognise a certain key personality in the polity to whom the senator is closely related. Under that dramatic cloud, Senator, Obasanjo-Bello soon left the gathering to attend to other matters.

Other politicians responded with more grace. They spoke glowingly of the author and the quality of his persona. They all left the podium with copies of the book bought at generous prices to ‘encourage the author.’ Like politicians that they are, they bought the books with smiles on their faces, but will they actually read it?

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong assured on this. He spoke, revealing his affinity for literature. He grouped Okediran with the likes of English politicians and writers Jeffery Archer and Winston Churchill among others, who found time to reflect on their days in public offices and going the extra mile to share these experiences with the public through creative works. He lamented that the pressure of office has deprived him of reading time but he bought the book, reserving it as he said “for the rainy day”

Tenants of the House is a book all Nigerians should read. It is a documentation of history by a witness from the inside, a rear perspective most Nigerians are not privy to. It will certainly reveal why the Nigerian legislature is like a theatre, why it resolves are unpredictable and the motivation or ‘fertilizer’ behind this antics.

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Okediran, thanked the diverse groups that came. He thanked his bold publishers who accepted his manuscript in ‘record time’ and hinted there could be more revelations in his subsequent works. “I think we will move closer to the villa and see what we can do there,” he said to laughter from the audience.

What became clear on the night, however, was that there is more drama in The House than most Nigerians actually realised.