“The loser at the hazard, when the game breaks up/ Sadder, sorrier lingers on alone
Replays each throw and drinks of wisdom’s cup” – Aligheri Dante, 1265-1321, in Purgatory.
For me, this is one of the most painful articles I have ever had to write in 39 years of writing for VANGUARD. In a fight between older brothers, friends and political associates on the one hand, and, a barely tolerable opponent on the other side, I naturally stand by the former – and damn the consequences. This is the first exception. With all due respects to my senior brothers in the South-West, the recent controversy between former President Obasanjo and former Governor Osoba, can most aptly be regarded as “the same stale old stew, warmed up and served in new plates” (Apologies to ex-President Babangida).
Nothing substantially new was added to what we knew already before the fresh outburst. I know why we are again being treated to another round of recriminations. I will discuss that later. I was never a party card holder; but, my family had been in the progressive camp ever since my eldest brother, the late Chief Sanu Sobowale, joined the Action Group Youth Wing with the late Chief Bola Ige. I had the privilege of knowing Ige when he and my brother attended Ibadan Grammar School. Ige was the Kaduna Boy; my brother was the Zaria Boy in their class. They exchanged visits and that was when I first came across the man later nicknamed Cicero.
