LIKE CHAMELEON, LIKE BUKOLA SARAKI, By ALABIDUN, Shuaib Abdulrahman

LIKE CHAMELEON, LIKE BUKOLA SARAKI

By: ALABIDUN, Shuaib Abdulrahman (Da- Golden)

Literally, chameleon is that animal that can change colours at anytime 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 peoples of the Benin Kingdom credit the chameleon with magical power. Because of its divine representation, it's not just a common motif in their art but in an indistinguishable manner being placed on iron staffs which symbolises 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 gait 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 subject 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 believed he is a galoot of no measure. Because, just to achieve his aims, he can go any extra mile with his skinflint device. Though, this character might probably feels to be smart to him.

Indisputably, one of the attributes of chameleon is how it changes colour whenever it wishes which Bulola Saraki's political character can be liken with. 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 beguilingly conducted election with 57 senators present out of the 109 member body. This action made Buhari to looks politically awkward and Tinubu looks 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 party.

In another vein, no one can easily forget in a hurry how his double dealing tangled PDP in a web of conceptual confusion that has led the party to the irredeemable destruction up till date. The party that brought him to limelight from his anointed SA Budget portfolio under Obasanjo led government in 1999 and the uninterruptedly two term governorship of Kwara State in 2003 and 2017 respectively. He's also favoured in 2011 under the same party he clinched its Kwara Central senatorial ticket. Despite the benevolent contribution of the party to his political profile, he used his disingenuous excuse of "due process and lack of internal democracy" to caused 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 so like Bukola is also blessed with persuasive talk which deprives the hearer of all means of resisting its 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. This is carefully concealed greed.

Though chameleon do steps 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 making a decision. 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 conclusion, in his mendacious tales of adventure, Bukola has started his chameleon-like trait just to achieve his next ambition which is presidency. Like how chameleon uses its prehensile tail to steal other' goods behind their backs, without the least appearance of ill intent, Bukola has started courting the mighties 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 neither the party's manifesto nor its code of conduct. His taste of old wine (character) will still taste the same even if the product is rebranded.

ALABIDUN, Shuaib Abdulrahman (Da- Golden) could be reached via 08036897971