I need plenty ADVICE!

Papa

Matter dey o! Please come advise me. These days, our president is using special language and scary words. We need to know if it has to do with office, age (he just made 70, praise God!) or too much success. We need to know if his friends, freaks, family and fanatics hear and see what all others are witnessing. We need to... Oh, yes.

Which language? Both English and Yoruba; plus including pidgin, when it fits.

What words? Ha! Plenty. But in phrases. E.g: That the April Elections are a do-or-die affair! That his party, PDP, must not lose the elections!! That it is either PDP or nothing!!!

How scary? That he will NOT handover to a "corrupt" person!!!!

He has also been abusing (and cursing) people and parties like hell, at each hustings-stop and by words, gestures and songs!!!!!

Happily, Nigerians seem to understand and are amusing themselves to nuts with the spectacle. Mercifully, also, they call and treat him as Baba - even before he told us (though his son doubts) that he turned 70 some days ago. They know we will overcome. Oh, Dad, you need to see the kind of cartoons, editorials and opinion pieces in our media: sumptuous! Hilarious. Sad. Pity.

My worry is that there is something wrong, very wrong, for certified elders to descend and so condescend to such levels of desperation and unAfricanness. Which is why I need your help.

Why is Mandela different?

Why is Kofi Annan different?

Why is Desmond Tutu different?

I don't want to quote from other continents, so that I can narrow it close to home. Is anything the matter with leaving office and power, especially in a democracy? After EIGHT years?!

Hey, Dad, Bill Clinton left office - with his party losing to the Republicans - and launched his Clinton Global Initiative to great acclaim and success! He is today the most popular politician in America!! And the Democrats have just regained control of Congress, with bright prospects of winning the White House in 2008!!! Isn't that cool, and instructive?

Why is Baba Obasanjo doing his own like one kind do-or-die thing, now? Haba.

I am surprised, intrigued and depressed. Come talk to me in my dreams o! Abeg, Papa, dis one pass ordinary matter!

Love
Dayo