How is it that you enjoin others to follow the right way, but you forget your own soul, though you read the Scriptures? Have you no sense at all? Q 2 verse 44.

A former Minister of Communication, Barrister Abdur-Rahman Adebayo Shittu, was seen, Monday, taking a swipe at the former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, over the latter's allegation of rigging the 2019 governorship election against his preferred candidate, Adekunle Akinlade.

The former Minister, a serial governorship aspirant in Oyo State, particularly played a religious card when he expressed disappointment at Amosun being a practicing Muslim. He accused Amosun of working against the interest of the APC and in violation of the Party's interest.

Although, the question directed at Shittu wasn't really about Ogun State, but about the failed reconciliation 'efforts' of the ruling APC referencing the relationship between Amosun and his successor, Dapo Abiodun.

Shittu, who couldn't not manage his personal staffers both in his private practice and public life, characteristic of him, threw caution to the wind, he was presented with an opportunity to hit and old foe. (This opinion is not about Amosun and Shittu and I hope the former Minister will not force me to open the can of works.)

It is not Shittu's fault, 'it is the fault of the one who gives an 'Ebira' an alcohol that forced him speak English, saying 'I want more 'tombula' (tumbler).

If Shittu is desirous of regaining his non-existing political relevance, he's too irrelevant and insignificant to take on Senator Amosun, not even on the issue of party loyalty, he would leave to regret it.

Straight to the point. Since Shittu played a religious card, it won't be out of play to also serve the Hypocrite with the same card. Shittu needs to be reminded of Qur'an 2 verse 44 where it says, 'How is it that you enjoin others to follow the right way, but forget it yourselves, though you read the Scriptures? Have you no sense at all?'

Adebayo Shittu has no moral right or justification whatsoever to talk about what happened in Ogun State, he did worse things in Oyo State during the regime of late Governor Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi, in fact. In fact, Shittu played prominent role in the misfortune of APC in Oyo State.

It is on record that Shittu fought Ajimobi to death, was he not shameful of himself then?

Shittu has no moral compass to be a judge on what's happening in Ogun State, what he did on Arise TV was a demonstration of the hypocrisy that he's known for. Unfortunately, hypocrisy is a great sin and a dangerous crime in Islam which Shittu prophesies.

Adebayo Shittu was at loggerheads with Late Ajimobi since 2014 over the control of party machinery, he never reconciled with Ajimobi until his death.

Ahead of the 2019 General election, Adebayo Shittu led prominent APC members in protest against Ajimobi, the aggrieved members later formed a major sub-group called Unity Forum.

Senator Mosurat Sumonu, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Senator Soji Akanbi, Chief Abu Gbadamosi, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Professor Adeolu Akande, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Chief Goke Oyetunji, were some of the top leaders of the Forum.

Even when Shittu can not boast of nearing the political dexterity of these politicians, his political power as a serving Minister was deployed in favour of the group.

Majority of these politicians abandoned APC for the African Democratic Congress, ADC with Lanlehin as the leader; some went with Zenith Labour Party; some decamped to the Action Democratic Party, while the Shittu camp form an alliance with Seyi Makinde of the PDP.

Shittu, as a sitting Minister, couldn't have joined another party, he secretly worked for Seyi Makinde who has been his political ally for a long time. Seyi Makinde bought the only SUV Shittu took to Abuja as a minister-designate.

In 2018, Shittu as a sitting Minister vowed to work against the candidate of APC in Oyo State, Adegoke Adelabu, he made truth his threat and also mocked the loss of the party in Oyo State, saying the loss was a punishment from God. https://punchng.com/buharis-minister-vows-to-work-against-oyo-apc-candidate/

I hope Shittu will henceforth keep his mouth shut and focus on making fortunes from hid headship of Tinubu support group, otherwise, more will be revealed about the relationship between Makinde and Shittu even when the latter insisted being in APC.

Shittu should ruminate on the following verses of the Qur’an and make a decision on the need to reconcile with his Creator and people.

“Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them." - Al-Nisaa 4:145.

“(They are) swaying between this and that, belonging neither to these nor to those; and he whom Allaah sends astray, you will not find for him a way (to the truth — Islam)” - Al-Nisaa 4:143.

“And when it is said to them: ‘Make not mischief on the earth,’ they say: ‘We are only peacemakers.’ Verily, they are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not.” - Al-Baqarah 2:11-12.

 

Adetunji Kola writes from Ogun State