Between Sanwo-Olu and Ambode, By Simbo Olorunfemi

High point of this eventful week, for me, was the visit by Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the home of his predecessor in office, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to be a part of his 60th birthday celebration.

It was so beautiful seeing Mr Ambode leading Mr Sanwo-Olu into his home, both beaming with smiles. The symbolism of the visit was obviously not lost on everyone around, given the well-known circumstances under which one lost power and the other gained it.

Gboyega, obviously delighted, was quick to put up the video. It was good to see. Very much a testament to the enduring spirit of ‘OneLagos’ as Steve on the other side of the ‘divide’ aptly hashtagged, in sharing photos from the ceremony shortly after.

That is how it ought to be. Ojo melo la o lo laye ta fi wewu irin? One can only hope people her see the lovely gesture for what it symbolises. I hope those who volunteer themselves here as mercenaries, fighting those who they have not been assigned to fight, ostensibly on behalf of those who did not send them and hardly ever know them, embrace the moment as a teachable one.

What they never seem to be able to grasp is that ija lode t’orin d’owe, t’ija ba tan, many of those who had expended themselves fighting meaningless battles would still be on the same spot, while their principals pick up from where they were and simply move on with their lives.

During the week, while searching for some old stuff in my Facebook archives, I chanced on some of the discussions on my page then, triggered by the claim in a book by Prof Paten on how Prof Yemi Osinbajo came to be nominated as running mate to President Buhari.

It was interesting to see some of the comments, especially that by someone who really couldn’t stand my efforts to set the records straight, as he didn’t fancy Asiwaju then, in the light of his complete turnaround last year to the point of changing Osinbajo’s name, generously using the derogatory version he created all around, even on my page, in the name of promoting the same Asiwaju he had used unkind words to describe in the past.

True, people change their minds. There is nothing wrong with that. Nothing. People are even free to change their positions, with or without offering reasons for that. But it is because there is a possibility of that happening that one must be mindful of one says or writes now for the sake of the future. We must be careful how we say whatever we choose to say, no matter what is pushing us at the moment.

What I find most intriguing is that it is usually those who are far from reckoning that take some of these ‘things’ to heart, investing energy in insulting and defaming supposed opposition figures to the people they support. If only they know.

Some must think it is still about hurling insult in the direction of those who have since moved on with paths already well defined for them. They might need to ask how many of such posts were put up by Olu Verheijen or John Uwajumogu before their appointment.

As I have repeatedly stated here, it is always more about relationships, even as competence is key. I doubt that lack of civility counts that much in the list of requirements.

The relationships between some of the people thought to be on opposite sides on account of supposed disagreements that might not run as deep as they assume, go so far back that whatever it is that they think is the issue today can never break the bond between them.

Take the relationship between Prof Yemi Osinbajo and Mr Dele Alake, for instance. Their relationship dates back to their days at Igbobi College. In fact, the first person I ever had call Prof by his nickname, Jebi, back then was Mr Alake. Even the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila was in the same school with them, even if he their was junior. What binds many of the people at the top are relationships that go way back or interests that can’t but bring them together one way or the other, even if that takes some time.

People need to calm down and rethink if these petty fights over people who don’t know or even care them is really worth it. People need to realise that there is only so much that they know and that many of those who think they know don’t really know.

Long after those who take it upon themselves to take on battles they have not been assigned to have burnt bridges and destroyed relationships that could possibly benefit them, those who they assumed they were fighting for, would mend fences and move on with their lives.