“Saworo Ide” was a Yoruba bluckbuster produced by Tunde Kelani of the Mainframe fame.
The story catalogued the transition from what could be termed a frying pan to the fire by a town in search of good governance.
I have wondered several times whether “Jogbo bi aro” couldn’t have been a better title for that epic drama.
The story was centered on a town named Jogbo.
The Yoruba word, Jogbo is synonymous with bitterness.
That is why Yorubas would say “o koro bii Jogbo” when they refer to an extremely bitter object or circumstance.
The town, Jogbo was ruled by a monarch named “Lapite”.
At a point, some chiefs and powerful people within the town accused Lapite of greed and other sundry allegations.
They went to Lagata, a military officer and invited him to come and take over the reigns of Jogbo.
Unfortunately for both the chiefs and the town people, it was a step that catapulted Jogbo from the frying pan to the fire.
Lagata became not only a dictator but also a conqueror.
Jogbo was thrown into terrible strife and hardships of high magnitude.
I have been trying hard not to see any reason to compare the Nigeria of today to the “Jogbo” of the Saworo Ide Drama but I just could not but keep seeing striking similarities.
It is a fact that Nigerians endured the eight years rule of former president Mohammadu Buhari.
Many Nigerians, including yours truly felt no Government ever could be that terrible.
I remember having a discussion with some friends before the 2023 presidential election.
I was trying to convince them to vote for Tinubu.
I remember one of them saying whoever won the election between the trio of Tinubu, Atiku and Obi was sure to be better than Buhari, as, according to him, he never thought a Government could be worse than that of Buhari.
About a week ago, that same friend was in my house and he has changed his mind.
To him and most Nigerians, compared to what we have now, Buhari was Eldorado!
Truly and sadly so, Nigeria have never had it so bad.
I am a bonafide member of the president’s political party, the APC.
I was involved in vigorous camping for the president all over Oyo state.
Unfortunately, I have no words left to defend the president or our party.
The hottest seat anyone can be made to sit on presently is one where you are expected to defend the president and his policies.
I remember watching Baba Segun Osoba on Arise TV some days ago.
A particular question pertaining to his current views on the removal of subsidies on Petroleum products by President Tinubu vis a vis the view of the APC in 2012 when former president Goodluck Jonathan removed the subsidies were put to him.
As cerebral as Baba is, he cut a pitiable picture, trying to defend the indefensible.
It is so bad that there is no way you want to defend the president and you won’t look confused.
Almost every thing the president stood against during the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan are what he is preaching now.
Ironically, everything he stood with the former president Mohammadu Buhari to defend are now what he is trying to condemn!
Isn’t that grand?
The Country, under president Tinubu have turned to “Jogbo” of the Saworo Ide Drama.
People are angry and bitter.
I definitely did not reach the concluding part of the “Jogbo” story because, God forbid , may that never be the portion of the president and Nigeria.
SOLA ABEGUNDE
