KWAM1: Of Arrogance, ‘Power’ And Protocol, By Tunde Abatan
Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall…..Proverbs 16:18
The above quote from the Holy book best describes the raging scandal and controversy over the incident last week involving Fuji sensation, Wasiu Ayinde aka KWAM 1 and the nation’s aviation authorities, FAAN over the indecent conduct of the former.
The conduct has revealed once more the tendency of self- importance and personal aggrandizement of high profile personalities in the country.
This has often rendered obedience of various rules of engagement difficult to observe.
That a top -rated musician who enjoyed being the musician of those in the corridors of power at various times in the country could behave in like manner shows how our society has been compromised through such indecent acts most of which are unknown to the public .
This latent attitude has variously undermine protocol, law and order in a country with her image both locally and internationally.
It also shows how and why the country has not been able to keep high profile citizens under the law as they parade their influence and closeness to those in authority to undermine the system.
The Fuji King who some months ago enjoyed public ‘acclaim’ for the open ridicule he subjected some itinerant Alfas and Imams who showed face in his residence to when his mother passed on in the ‘Ganusi’ saga.
Before this ‘Ganusi’ saga, the musician is on tape to have displayed his closeness to President Bola Tinubu via a viral phone call in which he called the President by first name . This is meant to prove his closeness, influence and access to the nation’s number one citizen.
Though, no known reprimand was meted to serve as a lesson to this lack of restraint of a fellow close to his 70s, last week’s attitude and demeanor confirm his display of some ‘powers’ or over-bloated ego behind his public arrogance and lack of respect.
Since there is always everyday for the thief and one day for the owner, the law of nemesis might have come to judgement with Ayinde’s shameful conduct at Nnamdi Azikiwe international Airport last week, in spite of the perceived curses reigned on him by the embittered Islamic clerics.
Though, he has since tendered an apology for admitting doing wrong his apology and claims of the real content of the flask should be subjected to random test and verification by both the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agent, NDLEA and the police to determine and verify his claims.
But then, as a top- ranking Ijebu Prince told yours faithfully during a conversation, the behaviour and demeaning exhibited by the ‘Ganusi’ proponent was a practical demonstration of his level arrogance …..Bi o se ri niyen..o fi iwa re han.
This definition is short of saying he has shown his true character and couldn’t have behaved otherwise.
For real, where did KWAM 1 leave his humility when he confronted law enforcement agents at the airport who questioned him for bringing the flask inside the aircraft as against the rules.
If indeed the flask contains ordinary water to stem his claims of dehydration what costs him in explaining his medical condition to the airline crews who accused him of violating the rules of air travel?
His demeanor is also a demonstration of his scant regard for established rules obviously influenced by his social status and closeness to those at the corridors of power.
If the claim of the airline crew that the flask contained alcoholic substance is proved, then it means the Airport security checks have to be subjected to questions on how they allowed him to pass through security checks and breach protocol.
If the content is found to be alcoholic, then all the security operatives deserves to be sanctioned.
Since the demeanor of KWAM 1 shows display of arrogance as he has done in previous occasions, the inquisition to unravel what transpired on that Monday August 4 has to be thorough if indeed this government is determined not to continue our business as usual conduct.
Celebrities sheer arrogance, ego boasting of invisible power by his likes has to be contained with as examples shou l d be made of the price of impunity to serve as a deterrent to others.
Such citizens among the elite often gets away with such similar infractions that has destroyed our institutions at all levels.
Indeed, KWAM 1 passing through the security operatives is also an indication of the compromise of our system by ego flaunting personalities who with their ‘intimidating’ social acclaim compromised the security operatives who should be held culpable if thorough investigations are conducted and such characters found culpable.
Ordinarily, the authorities of the ValueJet should’ve handed the culprit over to the airport police instead of the Pilot engaging in exchange of words.
While the action of the NCAA on the airline is timely, the non- arrest of the intruder by the aviation authorities amount to double standard.
The Police should have been called to step in before the NCAA took such actions on the Pilots who though displayed their level of emotional intelligence, shouldn’t have been visited with such punitive actions.
In spite of the public apology tendered by KWAM 1, both Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun have a duty to show their preparedness to allow law and justice rule in the land by not allowing themselves to be swayed by public emotions as contained in his apology.
To stop display of arrogance and impunity in low and high places, examples should be made of social celebrities whose action have direct impact on their followers and the public in general in order to protect and ensure of law and order.
Such apologies rendered by KWAM 1,are better tendered in the court of law while the judiciary should be render justice with mercies,( where necessary), for public figures who refused to live by example and use their perceived closeness to power to flout rules with impunity and dent the nations image.
For the Federal government, this is time to walk its talk that nobody is above the law not even celebrities who often sing their praise to high heavens.
For me, this is the time for the authorities concerned to allow the law to take its course.
For this government to be taken seriously, institutions should be allowed to work and correct the ills of the society as the FAAN has done by petitioning the Police and the nation’s Chief law officer, the Attorney General of the Federation.
The AGF has to show that the law is no respecter of persons.
Hence, there must be consequences for infractions such as exhibited by the Fuji exponent who unconfirmed reports says has threatened to deal with the owners of the airline.
Incidentally, the proprietor, Prince Soname, a successful business man is an Ijebu Prince like him.
Should we allow public sentiments prevent KWAM 1 from being made to account for his indecent behaviour which has brought local and international ridicule to the country, then the regime has to rethink its Renewed Hope Agenda, for punishing infractions as one of the ethos needed to rework the image of Nigeria .