Opinion article by Duke of Shomolu, Joseph Edgar
This is the dilemma I find myself right now. The need to marry these very contending boxes as I seek a seat on the table of national discussions.
This morning as early as 4am, I got a reach out from a top APC stalwart. He is very close to the Presidential candidate and very effective.
Edgar, I do not agree with your submission on Alake. He said sending my vitriolic article to me and which had found its way to Twitter.
You must avoid politics if you want your business to grow. It is the same all over the world. You must avoid politics he repeated
Now my dilemma. How do I avoid what is my life calling- political commentary, because I want to use Art to pass on a message and will need the support of power blocs to tell these stories.
So far, I have done well maybe because I was seen as a peripheral critic but recently it is biting and really biting hard.
Duke, you can’t be biting the principal and expect the ‘boy’ to support you?
I felt this level of pettiness would never happen to me although, I see it happen to a lot of people who have tried to be forthright while seeking support for their projects.
The text message came,’ Duke you are anti – us. We cannot push the file anymore as we may not be able to justify it.
Now playing God with commonwealth just because you have momentary power is the lowest any grouping can get to.
Society needs independent minded individuals. People who will stand up and be counted no matter what.
Both sides of the divide need people like me. People who will shout when something is going wrong and will also laugh with you when you do well.
However, one would expect a very rare level of political maturity to look at your critic and still support his endeavours.
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Sadly that level of maturity is rare in this clime. This afternoon, I went to an office and the boss screamed – Duke you can’t be talking so they patronize you.
We went into a heated debate. NO, I screamed. Why would I keep quiet because of some small millions?
He screamed, do you see Dangote or any of these big bank MDs intervene? And I scream back- is it the N2m or less that they will give me that will shut me down for life when things are going wrong?
So why would I take money from evil leadership with my mouth shut only to now come and do a play on AWO expounding strong virtues of transparency and quality leadership?
Won’t the contradiction give me a dirty slap?
I once wrote a critical article on a Bank who had finalized plans to sack tea girls and junior staff. I called the Bank MD Emperor Nero and got myself in their bad books
One month later, I went back to the same Bank to ask for sponsorship and I got – you are not out friend.
But the man I called Emperor Nero said – NO, this is the kind of people we need around us. Someone who is not afraid to say the truth when it matters.
Today, they are my biggest supporters and if they still go near any tea girl, I will still shout.
I once was received in the Exco Chanbers by Governor Sanwo-Olu. It was a rare honour and I loved it.
I shook his hands and thanked him for receiving me and my team. We had a nice photo session and I went home.
The next day, the State Government announced a policy on covid restrictions that didn’t make sense to me.
I fired. Fired o. People called,’ Edgar, you just shook his hands
So, as a well known Corporate beggar, if I shout and come later to beg for sponsorship please reserve the right to drive me away and pour me water.
But be rest assured that I will continue shouting and abusing you and will still be coming to ‘beg’ you.
This seems to be my baggage- the social critic who has a message and is also a corporate beggar.
Thank you
*Duke of Shomolu*
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