The attempted demystification of Gbajabiamila

The recent vain chase in the name of a suit filed against the man Femi Gbajabiamila is a manifestation of calculated efforts by some elements acting the role of mark erasers, attempting to discredit him – a subterfuge of a sort and a move being made by detractors to disparage him. Before the coming of […]

The recent vain chase in the name of a suit filed against the man Femi Gbajabiamila is a manifestation of calculated efforts by some elements acting the role of mark erasers, attempting to discredit him – a subterfuge of a sort and a move being made by detractors to disparage him.

Before the coming of the suit against Gbajabiamila, which was not actually meant to stop him but to dent his image and to blackmail him, his credible credentials have been in the public domain, and this, in many ways readily casts a shade of doubt on the intent and timing of the ignoble lawsuit.

But Nigerians are not the gullible people that detractors assume they are. His associates are not the easily swayed actors that would fall for such tantrums.

As if the slanderous campaign and devious litigation is made to boost Gbajabiamila’s popularity, his sheen, like fire in the harmattan, against all odds, is soaring to high heights. And the trial is not in any case bruising the confidence of his admirers. If anything, his supporters are even more reassured that Femi Gbajabiamila would emerge the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives regardless of the tantrums being thrown up and down.

Apart from the fact that his political tent, the APC, at this moment, is as united as ever and waxing stronger, leaders of the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP are putting their weights behind his sturdy genius, knowing what he represents and the values he stands for.

There is no telling the huge shock that detractors did receive over the support notable Nigerians are giving the candidacy of Gbajabiamila. The support he’s currently enjoying from the governors of Anambra, Imo and Rivers states, Willy Obiano, Rochas Okorocha and Nyesom Wike is sending a rude shock down the spine of unbelievers.

Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila is a gold fish that no hiding place. And testimonies abound to the extent that he is a ready material for the exalted office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Small wonder he is harvesting profuse endorsement from here and there, even with opposition chiefs stressing that they are giving support for Gbajabiamila and Wase not based on party or ethnic considerations but on the strength of capacity and pedigree.

Of profound import is the stance of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to the effect that his support for Gbajabiamila and Wase is about competency and not on political party affiliation. What greater testimony?

For Governor Obiano, he said his backing of Gbajabiamila as a decision was not difficult to make because he knew Gbajabiamila as a man of integrity. Hear Obiano: “I know Gbajabiamila. He is not someone who would say it is black now and it would suddenly turn to white. That is why I’ve been campaigning for him for long.”

As Nigeria tilts towards the making of new leadership, particularly the ninth national Assembly, we must not lose sight of the fact that among other considerations, one of the pivotal factors that will determine the mileage the nation will reach in the near future is the quality of leadership that Nigerians give her legislative institutions, particularly the House of Representatives where Gbajabiamila has become a personification of distinctions.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Abuja.