Like Chameleon, Like Saraki
By Alabidun, Shuaib Abdulrahman
Literally, chameleon is that animal that can change colours at any time and at wish. It is believed to be one of the coolest reptiles on the planet which has a prowess of rapidly changing from brown to green and vice versa. Sometimes from green to red, and dynamically can change to plaid (a cloth having a crisscross design).
In Africa, what chameleon represents is more complex. The chameleon is a common symbol of transformation. Its ability to change to meet any situation is second to none. For instance, the Edo people of the Benin Kingdom credit the chameleon with magical power. Because of its divine representation, it’s not just a common theme in their art but in an indistinguishable manner was being placed on iron staffs which symbolizes both the transformative power – the power that can be harnessed both by the witch (one who causes harm), and the witch hunter (one who protects). Also, it is a symbol of wisdom because of its slow pace that is compared to that of an old man – one with the wisdom age.
Like chameleon, Bukola Saraki’s changeable trait and ability to sway by sordid interest is quite identical. Both the previous and recent scenarios in the political arena have been subjects of references. When it comes to vying for any ambition, he has always been as hungry as a bear which makes some of his contenders believe he is a galoot of no measure. Because, just to achieve his aims, he can go any extra mile with his skinflint device. Although this character might probably feel to be smart of him.
Undoubtedly, one of the attributes of chameleon is how it changes colour whenever it wishes which Bukola Saraki’s political character can be liken to. He is a man of many colours in character. His true colour is hardly known. He had shown one of his colours in his desperate bid for senate presidency. While All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, including President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo were in a crucial meeting to discuss various APC factions competing for leadership positions in the National Assembly, he, in a partially successful strategy of developing a political base interestingly conducted election with 57 senators present, out of the 109-member body. This action made Buhari to look politically awkward and Tinubu looked like what a friend called “political neophyte.” He garnered the block support of both opposition PDP and some APC senators who broke rank with their parties.
Interestingly, no one can easily forget in a hurry, how his double-dealing tangled PDP in a web of conceptual confusion which has led the party to the irredeemable destruction till date. This is the party that brought him to limelight from his anointed Special Assistant (SA) on Budget under Obasanjo led government in 2000 and the uninterruptedly two term governorship position of Kwara State in 2003 and 2007 respectively. He’s also favoured in 2011 under the same party to have clinched its Kwara Central senatorial ticket.
Despite the benevolent contribution of the PDP to his political profile, he used his disingenuous excuse of “due process and lack of internal democracy” to cause problems within and left carelessly. May be that’s reality of imperial politics.
Like how chameleon uses its sticky tongue to take its prey from a distance without having to pounce on it or if otherwise, misses its aim which makes it simply retract its tongue, that is how Bukola is also blessed with persuasive talk which deprives the hearer of all means of resisting his arguments. This is a perfect art of escaping from every dilemma of deceiving with sweet talk; the ability to lie and wait patiently in ambush, the better tactical manoeuvre to surprise one’s victims.
Characteristically, chameleon do step carefully by taking one foot after the other unhurriedly. It never rushes headlong into anything. It balances its importance. It spies out the land and make sure before advancing a step or venturing advice or deciding. So like Bukola who is very magical in his tactics. It’s a trait that has made him a magician in the red chamber. He’s a man of very vague political standing.
In his mendacious tales of adventure, Bukola has started his chameleonic trait just to achieve his next ambition which is presidency. Like how chameleon uses its tail to steal other’ goods behind their backs, without the least appearance of ill intent, Bukola has started courting the ‘who is who’ in the political arena not minding the political party they belong to.
This is a desperate move which he set to obtain an advantage in a manner which could not be foreseen. He may succeed in shocking the APC, like he did to PDP just to have his aims accomplished. No matter how he changes from democratic party to progressive party to reformation party or even liberation party, his character can never be changed by either the party’s manifesto or its code of conduct. His taste of old wine (character) will still taste the same even if the product is rebranded.
Alabidun wrote in from Abuja and can be reached on [email protected]
