Boundaries – Adewale Sobowale

Photo credit: the cable

Nigerians, OK, some of them, will never cease to amaze me. I thought I was unshockable due to the fact that I felt I had seen it all.

Yes, the height (the depth?) of it was wishing a person, who happens to be the President of Nigeria dead. I’ve always maintained that, Ba ba n ja bi ka ku ko, even if we are quarrelling, a matter of life and death is a separate thing entirely.

Or so I believed in my naivety.

Two things happened this weekend that proved that as far as Nigerians are concerned, I had another think coming.

The first one occurred yesterday, it was about an elderly politician who is said to be suffering from stroke. The other happened this morning, it is about an fb friend and a political actor in Ogun state during the last regime.

The elderly politician, like I said, is suffering from stroke. The last time I checked, stroke was not a result of God’s anger against the sufferer. Old people suffer from a variety of infirmities.

I realise the fact that our old man could have stepped on so many toes with his political stands at various points in time. Especially the June 12 debacle. But then, I also know that this country is ruled with some laws. I’m not aware that the man was prosecuted in any court of law. Not to talk of his being punished for any offence.

If not, are we God?

My reason for asking that question is due to the fact that my compatriots, instead of empathising with the man have been sending curses to him.

As far as I know, God has not handed over His own judgment to ordinary humans. And I don’t think God has stopped fighting His own battles.

Not yet!

So, what’s our problem? The Yoruba will say, We have seen an incident happening to someone, we don’t know what will happen to the next person.

The other incident happened when my fb pal posted something about people trying to convince him to contest for the most important government position in the state.

While some people encouraged him to go on, others tried to discourage him. Of course, they stated their opinions. However, they insinuated that those encouraging him will leave him to carry his own cross.

I’m not against stating one’s opinions on national issues, but a respectable human being would give allowance for differing views.

We should always be ready to tolerate other people.

Especially, their views!

080517