Where no promise is made, none can be broken

Iwas told that there is no law against lofty dreams. Which is why I question why in criminal trials, proofing the guilt of an accused person depends on proof of what lawyers call mens rea. (On a holy day as this, let no reader add the letter ‘r’ to the last word - thank you). So, as a poor young adult, I enrolled in the Kwaratech diploma in law programme. It was real fun learning the latin maxims like mens rea which comes handy whenever I wanted to throw lawyers off balance. I found out why there was no need to outlaw lofty dreams. In the journey of life, there are enough potholes to stop every Joseph in his tracks.

After two years of toil and dreams of graduating, my employer refused me pay, I couldn’t pay my last school fees and my dream of climbing the ladder of law died as naturally as it began. In law of contracts there is the principle of ‘invitation to treat’. The way I remember it, a trader could display their ware with a large signboard offering anything from the ludicrous to the incredible; they are not obliged by law to live by their pledge, they simply drew your attention. Lesson one; never take anything at face value.

The other day, I sashayed into a boutique advertising 50% off regular prices only to be told the offer was was valid only colour tags only. A shoe shop offered to give me a second pair for a dollar! Which village boy from Naija would not jump at such an offer? Well, there was a catch, the cheapest slippers in that shop costs $250 and didn’t qualify you to take a $500 shoe for a dollar.

So, I am truly flummoxed to read all the sniggering and disparaging comments of APC trolls gloating the Uncommon Transformer and Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio’s medical flight to London in spite of commissioning with pomp and fanfare a multimillion dollar world class hospital in Uyo earlier. As stated in an earlier write-up, it is easier to fly to London from Abuja than Uyo for anyone who knows the additional mathematics of aeronautics. Just because a man has built and equipped a hospital for the downtrodden does not mean he wants to be treated by doctors of his rats, rabbits and cockroaches. Being transformed is having the means to choose between a real hospital and a virtual cottage clinic. Akpabio has chosen the one that suits his status and it shall not be denied him.

I know. Some people take populism to ridiculous levels. A Katsina lawmaker whose allowance has been slashed by the Spartan Aminu Bello Masari decided to withdraw his children from public schools. Shikenan, rather than rally round to help him redeem the future of his children, those who know nothing disturbed our Twitterati for days recommending that public officers should send their children to public schools.

Truly, this is a nation of absurdities. Having graduated from LEA Primary School, Okeagi, one of my life dreams was to ensure that none of my children went that road except as tourists or researchers. The school had no library, no laboratory, no running water and with alaWada Idris as governor of Kogi, the teachers downed tools for over a year. Seriously guys, the prayer of every good father is for their children to outgrow them in fame and fortune. God has answered that prayer for me - alhamdullilah! Now, I have nothing against those who have gone back to my alma mater since I left, I wish they had different experience several decades later, but wishes are not horses.

So, PMB’s first 100 days have come and gone. There is now a chief of staff; a security adviser, a government scribe and we have been told that there may be ministers in the ember months. Please note the use of ‘may be’ because the news may be gbeleko story from a beer parlour and we all know that Buhari drinks nothing but cow milk, water and fruit juice. PMB has never promised to appoint ministers at any time. So it’s not official except it comes from the horse’s mouth. I know the wicked might be tempted to call Sai Baba a horse - asthagafirullah!

Reminds me of all the promises made during the campaigns. Indeed, I remember sending some of those lofty campaign promises to one Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a lifetime blogger when APC bashing took an unbearable tempo. Now I am told those promises were - mere invitation to treat. I understand APC may have made promises, but PMB promised nothing but good governance! Hello peeps, there will be no free feeding nor jobless allowances. PMB promised nothing and if he delivers nothing - he would have broken no law and enjoyed the journey. If dissatisfied get a judicial enforcement of those provisions the Naija constitution that promises heaven on earth or forever mechi onu.