What is new to say, Nigerians don’t react to anything. Has any politician told you he is not a thief? Which politician told you he went to university, which politician told you she served in NYSC, and which politician told you he has his certificate?
- Rotimi Amaechi
You’ve always been a tryhard, Festus. Right from the mid 1990s at Expressway Kingdom Hall. Everyone knew you as a desperate tryhard, always trying to cosplay authority and presence you did not have.
All these years later and you’re a cabinet minister, but that stench of 1995 tryhard is still smelling on you. I don’t know how to explain it. You’re like Lamidi Apapa when he appeared in new clothes, a haircut and a Mercedes-Benz with a police escort and he somehow still looked wretched.
That air? That authority? That ability to wield narrative and command respect? You will never have it no matter how many more times you mortgage your soul in search of it.
Maybe it’s that voice that sounds like a pepper grinder with a stressed fan belt. Maybe it’s that constant facial expression that looks like you just had an Okada accident on the way back from begging for a fee payment grace period extension at your kids’ school. Maybe “aura” is just not something divinely ordained for you to have, no matter how much you’ve always wanted it.
You are and will always be Festus the talkative fuckboy from 1995. You will keep on trying to buy your love and respect by the hour until you disappear from view.
In the words of your FEC colleague, “If it didn’t Dey, it didn’t dey.”
There’s no sense in helping strangers when your family need help. Feed the home before helping the streets. The streets doesn’t care about you like that.
All is well with me.
Everything is working out for my highest good.
Out of this situation only good will come.
I am safe.
I am blessed.
The Universe is on my side.
I affirm. 🍏