CELEBRATING MORAL DECADENCE

In many churches, Palm Sunday is celebrated by the distribution of palm leaves (often tied into crosses) to the assembled worshippers.

It marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, on this momentous occasion, Jesus rode a donkey that had never been ridden. His disciples placed their cloaks on it, so as to make it more comfortable. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the people there lay down their cloaks in front of him, and also lay down small branches of trees. The people sang (part of Psalm 118) - ...Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming kingdom of our Father.

The recent fanfare and jubilation marking the triumphant return of Olabode George from prison, by his followers and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) loyalists, assumed overflowing and euphoric dimensions, almost as much as the celebrated entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Media advertisements by supporters, family members and well-wishers, heralded the release of the man described by the party faithful as “The Lion Heart.”

Chief Olabode George being the humble and modest man that he is, rather than ride a donkey into town, emerged from jail clad in a white agbada, and rode into town in a 2010 black Toyota Prado SUV while some of his entourage rode in commercial buses chartered by party loyalists.

He was received by hundreds of praise singers, political associates and supporters who turned the event into a carnival of sorts. The surging crowd of supporters wore uniform cloaks or Asoebi which are Nigerian outfits made from matching fabric, worn by a group of people to a party, wedding, or funeral. The uniform Asoebi also identifies the particular group of wearers. The crowd waved PDP flags along the way like palm leaves. Bode George, who was in high spirit, acknowledged the greetings with a victory sign.

Mr. George’s teeming crowd of supporters sang his praises like the Psalmist. Some of them wore T-shirts proclaiming him the ‘Joseph of our time,' and 'Mandela of our time.' Apparently riding on the crest of the overwhelming welcome, Bode George said he was ready to lead his party to future electoral victories.

He later rode in a convoy of vehicles to the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos for a thanksgiving service amidst effusive praises. It was reported that with him were the 12 chosen disciples that went everywhere with him. Notably present were Matthew and John. The chosen 12 were former President of Nigeria, Chief Matthew Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo, the Minister of the Environment, John Odeh; General Tunji Olurin, the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Ayo Fayose, a senatorial aspirant and former governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Modinot Adedibu, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, Defence Minister, Mr. Adetokunbo Ademola, Dr. Adegboyega Dosunmu, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and General Tajudeen Olarewaju.

Bode George is an ex-convict. A competent court convicted him on several criminal counts of fraud, over inflation of contracts and money laundering amongst others while he was Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and was sentenced to prison for two years. He has served his time and should, like any other jailbird, be accepted and re-integrated into society.

But what was the carnival all about? Political sentiments aside, it created unnecessary road traffic and pandemonium. There were even recorded incidents of fighting and hooliganism. Pickpockets disposed passersby of their valuables in the melee. This should have been a sober moment for the “celebrant”.

On the back of this celebration, opposition parties have questioned the sincerity of the ruling party and present administration in tackling the corruption monster.  They posit that they are sending wrong signals to the society with such fanfare. They decried it as appalling that mind-boggling stealing while holding public office is now accepted as normal and deserving of celebration after the "slap on the wrist" jail time.

The opposition parties contend that societal values have sunk to abysmal depths and that the entire show was a celebration of moral decadence. They also express surprise that the Defence Minister, Mr. Adetokunbo Ademola, even with the various flashpoints across the country, has time for such frolicking. They are even more astonished that he was sent as a representative of the President, Goodluck Jonathan.

With the April general elections looming, people are interested in the strategy the Lion Heart, party stalwart, ex-convict and former South-West vice chairman of the PDP intends adopting to lead his party to victory. If only he will heed the advice of the presiding priest at his thanksgiving service, Venerable Tayo Aduloju. The priest had warned politicians against corruption, saying that greed brings trouble.

Wise words spoken by the priest but will a Nigerian politician abide by such counsel after such overwhelming welcome and mammoth expectations in his political capacity to deliver?