Powers, Discretion, Indiscretion And Ultimate Vanity By Richard Akinnola 11

Powers

OpenLife Nigeria reproduces a piece by Richard Akinnola 11, a journalist, author, researcher, lawyer and an activist in which he deconstructs the concept of power and indiscretions, using salient examples

The piece, obtained from his page on Facebook, is reproduced below unedited

I often get amused when l see videos or pictures of dark suited DSS details jogging by the vehicles of some public or private people.

I have seen some with their special rifles guarding some private individuals and guess what?

These people being guarded feel on top of the world; they see it as status symbol and l get amused. But let me tell you two stories.

When the General Muhammadu Buhari coup overthrew the Shehu Shagari government on December 31, 1983, guess what?

It was the cook of Rafiu Jafojo, then deputy governor to Lateef Jakande that arrested him immediately after the coup. A totally flustered and embarrassed Jafojo questioned the cook if he was in his right senses.

It was at that point that the cook revealed his identity as an undercover security operative. Prior to that time, the deputy governor related with him as just a domestic staff.

So, what’s the lesson I’m trying to bring out?

All you so-called big men, both in public and private sectors who see it as status symbol that DSS operatives hover around you to protect you, what you don’t realise is that these officers also regularly send reports about you to their headquarters.

Another story which involves me. When we launched the National Conscience party (NCP) on October 1, 1994, the SSS and police sealed the initial venue at Anthony Village. Our leader, Gani Fawehinmi decided we should use Anthony bus stop from where we moved in procession to Ojota. Along the way at Ojota, l heard someone call my name.

I turned and it was a friend of mine, a police officer who was in mufti. He was part of the crowd to monitor the event. As we greeted animatedly, he said:”Richie Rich, sha maa se ti e, k’emi naa maa se te mi” (Just keep doing your own, while I’m also doing my job).

He later became a Commissioner of police, now late. A wonderful, thorough professional.

See ehn, what l have come to realise over several years is that our security agencies can be quite thorough, despite their excesses.