Reuben Abati 
ColumnistHighlight

Abati didn’t write that… by Reuben Abati

280

 

I had dedicated Saturday, October 21, to two important events: attending to family duties and participating in a farewell funeral party in Abeokuta in honour of a doughty elderly woman whose paths and mine crossed for many seasons. She was the mother of a childhood friend, who became the mother of many others because she was a dependable ally in every battle. But my day was constantly disrupted and my attention distracted by reports from known and unknown persons about a certain commentary that was purportedly going viral on social media, authored by one Reuben Abati, and affirmatively titled “Still on Okorocha and Zuma’s Statue: Reuben Abati’s epic reply to Rochas Okorocha”.

One fellow wanted to know if I authored the piece, others followed suit, and later close friends started bombarding me with enquiries. I promptly disclaimed the piece.

On Tuesday, October 17, I had written an article titled “Okorocha and Jacob Zuma’s statue”. (https://reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/reuben-views/item/3874-okorocha-and-jacob-zuma-s-statue-reuben-abati). It appeared in my column in ThisDay newspaper -Tuesday with Reuben Abati – and was also widely syndicated across the Nigerian media space. That essay remains the only commentary I have written so far on the public relations crisis that has emerged around Governor Rochas Okorocha’s decision to erect a statue in honour of one of Africa’s most disreputable contemporary leaders.

I have not had any reason to do an “epic reply” (whatever that means) to Governor Okorocha. I am not even aware of any response from him regarding my earlier intervention. I also don’t know that other Reuben Abati, who specializes in the writing of “epic replies”, and whose reasoning is so weak, conveyed in kindergarten prose, and whose use of English is so supremely incompetent.

With due respect, even if I wanted to write like the author of that epic reply, I would have been completely incapable of doing so. This is without prejudice, however, to the right of all right-thinking persons to criticise Rochas Okorocha and expose his folly, but they should do so in their own name and not borrow another person’s byline. I will not claim what is not mine. In my reckoning Rochas Okorocha is not that important enough to draw two major commentaries from me in less than a week. I made my point and I have since moved on to other important matters.

The fake Reuben Abati should have been courageous enough to write under his or her own name. Writing is an act of courage, not cowardice. Each time we put our thoughts out there, we grow a little, we gamble with our thoughts and reputations, we die a little too, but what matters is the courage to stand by our own version of the truth.

The worst crime a man can commit is to deny himself or herself, the right to exist and think. I sympathise with all those who like to appropriate my name, but I am sorry, I do not run a Reuben Abati franchise. I am not the author of that virus-infected piece on Rochas Okorocha.

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Rodri Brushes Off Vinicius, Real Madrid at Ballon d’Or ceremony

Recently crowned 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has downplayed the absence of...

Super Eagles Land in Abidjan, Gear Up for Benin Republic Clash

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has arrived in Abidjan,...

Nigeria signs $1.2bln deal with CNCEC to revive aluminium smelter

Nigeria has taken a significant step towards reviving its dormant aluminium smelter...

VP Shettima Arrives in Benin City for Edo Governor’s Inauguration

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Benin City, Edo State capital,...

Breaking: Powerful explosion rocks Jos, many people feared dead

A devastating explosion shook the city of Jos on Tuesday morning, sending...

NNPC Ltd. boss, Mele Kyari, thrashes allegation of sabotaging Dangote Refinery as baseless

Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National...

Infanticide: US places $25,000 bounty on fleeing Nigerian parent

The United States of America has offered a $25,000 reward for anyone...

Tinubu, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu, others extol Pastor Tunde Bakare at 70

Pastor Tunde Bakare, the founder of Citadel Global Community Church, is a...

NNPC Ltd. Unveils Plan to Resolve Nigeria’s Energy Trilemma

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari,...

Breaking: IPMAN Secures Direct Supply Deal with Dangote Refinery, Promises Steady, Affordable Fuel Nationwide

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced a landmark...

“Operation Sweep”, FCT demolition squad, faces backlash from residents, Wike reacts

The recent demolition exercise by “Operation Sweep”, a task force set up...

Nov. 16 Ondo guber poll: Sensitive election materials arrive

Ahead of the Saturday, October 16 governorship poll in Ondo State, sensitive...

China’s imports from Nigeria soar to $15.1bln, 36.1% increase

China’s imports from Nigeria have reached an all-time high of $15.1 billion...

Vandals destroy TCN towers, disrupt power supply in Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a fresh attack on...

Amid opposition, Kano Rep. Jibrin promises to push Tinubu’s tax reform bills through in NASS

In spite of growing opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s controversial tax reform...

FCT Police bust notorious car theft syndicate, arrest suspect, recover 3 vehicles

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police has confirmed the arrest of a...

Osimhen’s Brace Powers Galatasaray to 3-2 Win Over Samsunspor

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen led Galatasaray to a thrilling 3-2 victory over...

Amotekun, Vigilante groups barred from Ondo gov. election – IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has banned Amotekun, Vigilante Groups, and...

NPA firefighters extinguish APMT crane fire, no fatalities recorded

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) firefighters, with assistance from other sister agencies,...

Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala set to serve second term as WTO DG unopposed

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will...