Senator Smart Adeyemi is not your run-of-the-mill next door
neighbour -- not at all. He is a senior member of the pen profession who
outsmarted dramatist, rabble rouser Comrade Dino Melaye, (another fire brand,
crowd puller) for a place in the Senate. Smart is representing Kogi West in the
red chambers. He may not be a likeable personality due in part to his garrulous
incessant outbursts and unguarded comments on individuals and national issues,
moreso, when such opinions are heavily tainted with political asides, finally
got it right on the floor of the red chambers yesterday.
His ex tempore speech on the state of the nation and its
security challenges gave him out as a man of the people. On this matter Smart
was very smart. Smart's emotive lamentation cannot be faulted especially given
the overwhelmingly disturbing security upheaval that has engulfed the nation.
The situation is even more precarious since the military seems to have resigned
to fate. The recent misadventure in the theatre of war by the military can only
serve as a signal that the security architecture of this country needs urgent
configuration.
Smart thinks the time is due for the nation to call for
international support in the fight against insurgency and banditry. He went as
far as saying the national assembly should be shut down if we can't find a
solution to our problems now. I share in his sentiments too. We cannot continue
to play the ostrich when the nation is boiling every day, he voiced. Of what
use is a lame national assembly if all they do is playing loyalty game at a
critical time like this. Haba, I think they should close shop for now until we
have a clement weather. No bi so?
And it is written, Smart also cried.
Whether it was a grandstanding act or not, he got us talking
again. He made us believe again in the leadership of this country. At least we
know that it is not over yet that some members of the ruling class are on the
side of the people. Smart was obviously apolitical. Security issues do not bear
political colouration. People are being killed every day irrespective of their
political persuasions. We can't hang our faith on serendipity; neither can we
wait on chance. We must work out our salvation by deliberate and calculated
action.
The country needs more of the Smart Adeyemis in the corridors of
power to speak up against all the ills that have kept us running in a circle.
Let them inspire us to rise up and believe we make it through to yonder land.
We must find an end to this musical chair notwithstanding the snide remarks of
Mrs. Remi Tinubu and other hypocrites lurking around the green villa in Abuja.
On this matter, I doff my hat for Senator Smart Adeyemi. For
once, you made us proud knowing that as a true gate keeper, you have the
nation's interest at heart. Good morning.