Okorocha's Friends, and Enemies Within

OKOROCHA’S FRIENDS, AND ENEMIES WITHIN

       The last time I painstakingly checked, the Imo Chief Executive Officer, Governor Rochas Okorocha was yet to realize those whom are truly his friends as well as those that earnestly look forward to witnessing his downfall. Suchlike mindset isn’t peculiar to the said leader; suffice it to say that virtually every leader not just in Nigeria, but across the globe, often fall victim of such circumstance.

       I wouldn’t be doubtful that the governor would strongly assert that Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor tops the list of his greatest enemies in the state. I won’t equally be surprised if I hear, or overhear, that the governor sees the said analyst and activist in his nightmares. Of course, everyone is liable to experience numerous nightmares, thus the governor wouldn’t be an exception. It’s worth noting that nightmares are often attributed to what one’s, the victim’s, mindset is preoccupied with. In other words, the content of your mindset mainly determines the nature of nightmare you would, or liable to, experience.

       The point is: Fred Doc Nwaozor, likewise other constructive critics cum activists, cannot gladly watch the governor derail or indulge himself in acts that could tarnish his highly revered image. Such idiosyncrasy is arguably an attribute of a good friend or well-wisher, as might be the case. But, owing to misconception, which isn’t unusual, the critic may be misunderstood. It’s only someone who truly cares about your person that would always tell you what you need to hear, not what you want/intend to hear.

       We need to comprehend the difference between need and want. The latter is that thing you earnestly wish to embrace or possess; that thing/quality which you pray vehemently for. Whilst, the former is that thing you are supposed to have or possess; that thing/quality your entire system requires or deserves, particularly regarding health issues. It’s high time we started acknowledging that it is not everything one desires he/she is actually meant to have/possess. Sometimes, if not most times, we are prone to asking for something that won’t augur well for our persons.

       Hence, a good and genuine critic/activist is expected to tell you what you need to hear, contrary to a false one who would invariably wish to tender eulogies. A genuine activist won’t only criticize constructively, but would go extra mile to proffer remedy to what is being criticized. It’s appalling that leaders at all levels usually tend to mistake a genuine critic/activist for an enemy. This is the reason such leaders end up fighting mere cloud of dusts whenever they declare war against such kind of critic, or each time they see them as their enemies.

       It’s painful to acknowledge that in most cases, those ones you see as your friend are among those who can’t wait to see you dead. It’s even more devastating to note that that person you entrusted your major portfolios to remains the only one, or one of the major individuals, who frantically look forward to embracing your downfall. In one of Shakespeare’s series entitled ‘Julius Caesar’, which was named after the protagonist in the play, it was King Julius Caesar who exclaimed “Et tu Brute” meaning literally “Even you Brutus” when he realized that one of his trusted allies in the person of Brutus wanted him dead.

       It was Simone Schwarz-Bart that stated, “Men are strong, women are smart; but no matter how smart, their bellies are always there to betray them, and that’s their downfall.” On a similar note, in his words, Oscar Wilde unequivocally said, “Yet each man kills the thing he loves… Some do it with a bitter look, some with a flattery word, the coward does it with a kiss, the brave man with a sword.” No wonder G. K. Chesterten stated thus, “The Bible tells us to love our neighbours, and  also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.”

        I thought it wise to come up with this critique towards telling Gov. Okorocha what he needs to know, so that, he won’t attempt to chase shadows in the name of ‘fighting enemies’. I wanted his Excellency to understand fully the best way to describe an enemy as well as a friend when the need arises. I wanted him to comprehend that friendship lies in the heart; it is an action/product of one’s heart. It isn’t defined by one’s countenance as it is widely presumed. Those, in the past, who succeeded in defining people based on their physiognomies, failed woefully in the long run. This is what I candidly wanted the amiable governor to acknowledge.

       Your friends are not those persons in your household, while the people who are seemingly outside the house are seen as your enemies. Most times, your enemies are within while your real friends remain those who are ostensibly outsiders. So, we shouldn’t get it twisted. Your friend is not that person that shares your bed/room with you; rather, that person that sincerely shares your feelings. He is that person who understands that you are erring and take appropriate steps towards calling you to order. Mind you: he/she could employ any means to call you to order; he could involve unfriendly approach with a view to achieving such motive. In such situation, what matters most to him/her is to ensure that you didn’t derail.

        At this point, I urge the governor not to contradict the above definitions cum descriptions, so that, Imo wouldn’t be held hostage by the so-called friends. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. Think about it!        

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

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+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador