By Ori Martins
Let the truth be told: there is a huge semblance between Judas Iscariot and most Nigerian politicians. Judas betrayed Jesus Christ this time about 2023 years ago. Judas followed Christ for more than three years – but he was paternically closer to the Master more than the other apostles – yet, he betrayed him.
Before Christ and Judas’ episode, Brutus gave away Julius Caesar and provided the brutal stab that expired his well trusted soul mate. It was very pathetic.
In Nigeria, the story of Ironsi and Gowon is well documented. Ironsi, based on personal relationship starting from London, appointed Gowon his chief of army staff. It was from that height Gowon staged the July 29, 1966 counter coup that ultimately led to the gruesome assassination of Ironsi. Talk of treachery and you remember Gowon.
Murtala Muhammad emerged the head of state after Gowon’s overthrow. He did not last on the throne. Colonel Buka Suka Dimka, in a most treacherous fashion, alongside other traitors, toppled Murtala on Friday, February 13, 1976, assassinating the head of state in the process. Investigations later revealed that Dimka was goaded by Bisala who Murtala trusted and made minister of defence. You can see wickedness in action!
It might not be metaphoric to proclaim that MKO Abiola became a victim of a high wired political betrayal after he was presumed to have won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. After the military administration of Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election, Abiola was running from pillar to post to reclaim his mandate. However, all of a sudden, the now late Tony Anenih, then SDP chiarman, denounced Abiola and supported the call for a fresh election. Abiola’s running mate, Babagana Kingibe, also did a detour and abandoned Abiola. It was unprecedented.
Just about six years ago, most of the northern elements in PDP, gathered and agreed to betray Jonathan. They got their way. It was a beautiful sore so to say.
Here in Imo State, a satanic betrayal of the worst proportion has taken place. The entire Owerri is embarrassingly talking about it, not in hushed tones, but highly proclaimed from the mountain top.
A much known football personality in Imo State has been in Heartland FC since the days of Ohakim. He has variously worked as assistant team manager, team manager, sporting director and currently coordinator of the team. He lured his friend to apply for the general manager of the team in 2019. His Lagos based friend agreed, applied and eventually got the job.
However, the big man from Lagos had challenges appropriately administering the team in his capacity as the general manager. He was fought to standstill by those who thought they owned Imo State. As fate would have it, some centrifugal forces consumed the elements that stood between the GM and functioning effectively in his capacity.
Meanwhile, a lawmaker was sent to play an oversight function on sports, by extension Heartland. With this, another round of hurdle was erected for the GM. The lawmaker jumped on Heartland, took it as a private estate and started running the team from his lodge. He chased the GM, disregarded all known football rules and assumed the role of the executive chairman of the team. All efforts to made to get him rationally failed on deaf ears.
Now, the Heartland coordinator who brought the GM, did the unexpected. Since the GM is controlling no funds, this football personality who thought he could get better by sabotaging his friend of many years standing, dumped the man he imported from Lagos and joined forces with the GM’s detractors and traducers. Of course he knows the GM very well to his bedroom; he is now the one guiding and providing information to the general manager’s adversary on how to deal with him. He now drinks and dines with those he once described as “our enemies”. Odiegwu. Ya diwa.
You must understand the closeness, the David and Jonathan relationship in this affair gone awry. This is a case of modern day Judas Iscariot in action. It is so dramatic that this is happening in this season when Judas Iscariot and Brutus did the worst act of betrayals ever known to mankind – March 15, the Ides of March and Holy Thursday! Quite lamentable. It was the legendary Warrior of the Oriental Brothers fame that sang: onye oma mmadu eji egbu ya. GM, take heart. Ndo. Ogadimma.
A word for all those who call themselves sports personalities in Imo State without being employed anywhere. What most of them do is to gather under the mango tree at the FA and do what they know how to do best – gossip. In the afternoon, they move the women vendors and continue their business. Every season they wait on the new management of Heartland to higher them. If the general manager or the chairman fails to do so, these hawks would descend on him and tear him into shreds. This is condemnable and must stop.
