In governance, like in the field of play, the electorates are the best players. They have all kind of ideas, they pontificate brilliant ideas. But let us reverse the role. Invite some of them into government, the trouble begins. They become docile and bereft of ideas. They lost their articulate memories and vibrant voices. They now see less and become colourless in their pontification. That is why often times, the “governor” and the “governed” are never on the same page.
This preamble is necessary and it leads to the topic, a topic that is gradually assuming “a national discourse.”
The Presidential Villa – is the place cursed? That was a pertinent question which an erudite communicator, Dr. Reuben Abati, former Special Adviser to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity eloquently posed in his article in November 2016.
When that question was initially posed about eight months ago, I just flipped over it but I remember Femi Adesina, the current Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity did attempt to give a reply, a reply that was laced with diplomacy.
Mr. Femi Adesina, another brilliant media personality, who commands so much respect and displays proficiency so effortlessly, made non-issue of that article that touched the very essence of this Administration – the abode of most ranking personalities, including that of the President himself, is not one to be so toyed with or over-looked with disdained. However, today, the truth stares at us, gradually dawns and we are beginning to appreciate the intrinsic fact in Dr Abati’s article.
The health of our President should pose concern to every serious minded Nigerian adult. Therefore, it has become necessary to revisit Dr Reuben Abati’s exposition on the Presidential Villa and try to sieve out some basic facts for our proper understanding of Aso Rock (as it is called), and in doing so, let us have a mental picture of our President before he assumed office in May 2015 and juxtapose it with his present physical appearance. Does it convey any message?
For this narrative to be properly understood, let us make Dr Reuben Abati’s exposition our guide. I shall quote copiously from that article titled: Rituals, Blood and Death: The spiritual side of Aso Villa.
Dr. Reuben Abati wrote and I quote thus:
“Sometimes, they wonder if something has not gone wrong with the thinking process at that highest level of the country. I have heard people insist that there is some form of witchcraft at work in the country’s seat of government”.
“I’ll start with a personal testimony. I was given an apartment to live in inside the Villa. It was furnished and equipped. But when my son, Michael arrived, one of my brothers came with a pastor who was supposed to stay in the apartment. But the man refused claiming that the Villa was full of evil spirits and that there would soon be a fire accident in the apartment. He complained about too much human sacrifice around the Villa.”
“The day I hosted family friends in that apartment and they slept overnight, there was indeed a fire accident. The guests escaped and they were so thankful. ..Not long after, the president’s physician living two compounds away had a fire accident in his home. He and his children could have died. He escaped with bruises.” ….“Even some of the women became merchants of dildo because they had suffered a special kind of death in their homes (I am sorry to reveal this) and many of the men complained about something that had died below their waists too. The ones who did not have such misfortune had one ailment or the other that they had to nurse.”
“I recall the example of one particular man, an asset to the Jonathan presidency who practically ran away from the Villa. He said he needed to save his life. He was quite certain that if he continued to hang around, he would die. I can’t talk about colleagues who lost daughters and sons, brothers and uncles, mothers and fathers, and the many obituaries that we issued”.
And now to the big one. Let us read Dr Reuben Abati further:
“……His wife (meaning President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s wife, popularly known as), Mama Peace was in and out of hospital at a point, undergoing many surgeries. You may have forgotten, but after her husband lost the election and he conceded victory, all her ailments vanished, all scheduled surgeries were found to be no longer necessary and since then she has been hale and hearty”.
Enough from Dr. Reuben Abati’s article.
Let us go back to 2006, during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidency.
Around October 24 or so, the nation was woken to the sad news of Chief Mrs Stella Obasanjo’s death in faraway Puerto Banus, Marbella, Spain in October 23, 2006 under a mysterious circumstance. We were told :…(Chief Mrs)Stella Obasanjo, a healthy woman who had had the very best of life, died as a result of complications arising from a cosmetic surgery to remove fat from her stomach…” (culled from an article written by Chika Ezeanya in October 5, 2012). Of course, the entire nation was thrown into mourning of a colourful, elegant and flamboyant First Lady. A day before, the nation was plunged into mourning arising from a plane crash and where many innocent souls were painfully perished. Note, Chief Mrs Stella Obasanjo, euphemistically speaking, was the chief occupant of Aso Rock, been the wife to the ‘landlord’ of the ‘Rock’.
It is important to add this. Chika Ezeanya in his October 5, 2012 article alluded thus:
“… attacked by some demonic forces that began to inhabit Aso Rock since the days of the fetish googled General..”
Before President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua became landlord in Aso Rock, he had been ill but that illness did not defy medication. However, on his arrival at the Villa, the demonic forces in “Rock” took over. His health rapidly deteriorated until his glorious exit on May 5, 2010. No, I am not giving to superstitious belief. I am proudly a Catholic, and maintained puritanical streak in that regard.
These are weighty revelation from an insider that should not be treated with levity. In my considered view, the Presidential villa is such an egregious abode, yet this is where far-reaching and sensitive decisions are taking, decisions that shape and impact on the lives of most, if not all, Nigerians. Such a place should not wear this kind of unholy toga considered to be demonic.
I see this as a serious challenge to our Spiritual leaders and fathers in the Lord from both sides of the religion (Christians and Muslims alike) and indubitably calls for our sense of patriotism in this respect. The place needs total cleansing and consequently make the Villa a safe haven for its occupants.
In view of the above, I respectfully suggest that Mr. President and his worthy family, in the best interest of his heath, relocate to the Defence Guest in Maitama by MTN District office. That place is spacious, secured enough in terms of security and fits into Mr. President’sspartan life style.
The entire presidential villa should be brought down, and re-built, after total spiritual cleansing exercise. This is my humble submission please.
God shall grant our President speedy recovery and good health subsequently.
Bernard Balogun writes from Wuse District in Abuja, 0803.787.9275. [myad]
