Almost everybody watched the Edo state pre-election rally with its colossal turnout and all the festivity that trailed it. Except for a slowly dying minority of us that have no interest whatsoever in watching TV (blame it on the internet revolution that is stripping us of our TV-watching heritage *winking*).If you didn’t see it live on TV though, panic not cause I will fill you in on all the nitty- gritty details that even the pressmen that were in attendance probably missed. The major reason for all the festivity and broom brandishing was really simple. A renowned orator and Governor extra-ordinaire was seeking a re-election mandate to serve a second term as the distinguished Governor of Edo state.
Am sure you are getting the picture now. Everybody who was anybody with an ACN affiliation was in attendance. My interest as you probably know is not on the political ambience and personalities that graced the almost 6-foot stage (I am and have always been anti-political) nor the synchronized waving of brooms by the thousands of supporters (I hate any form of sweeping) but I was held spell bound when three greatmen stepped on the podium. Don’t get me wrong people because there were already renowned politicians and statesmen of repute on stage already with the likes of Governor Ngige, Governor Fashola, Bisi Akande, Tinubu plus the man of the moment, the 5-foot veteran and khaki-clad comrade, Adams Oshomole. However, these particular men where different, sending the crowd into a frenzied applause like no other politician had done up until then.
Joining Oshomole on stage was the rhythm maestro Tuface, Idris Abdulkareem and music legend Victor Uwaifo. Tuface was clad in an ACN jacket while Idris wore a brown shirt much like Oshomole’s but Victor Uwaifo took the day in a blood red shirt and silver ash suit that shone intermittently. What dampened the whole scenario for me was when Idris standing behind Adams Oshomole as he gave his address began an animated conversation with Tuface. After a while, the no nonsense Governor stopped in mid-sentence and told them to keep their voices down. They did at first then Idris started another ill-fated conversation with Tu baba gesticulating all the while. Oshomole lost it eventually; pulling the microphone from his mouth, he turned to the erring musicians and scolded them publicly like kids all captured on national TV! Can you imagine?
Tuface a little embarrassed, quickly blended into the body of politicians on stage and found his way to the back. Idris quickly followed, tail between legs. The exchange was swift but nevertheless thoroughly embarrassing. I crave your views on this one please; do we need to school our music superstars on decorum and public behavior again? I certainly hope not.
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