WHEN GBAJABIAMILA TRIED TO MUZZLE HIS CLASSMATES ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM AFTER BEING CRITICIZED FOR THE PURCHASE OF A 75 MILLION NAIRA MERCEDES G WAGON FOR HIS WIFE ON HER 50TH BIRTHDAY
House leader Hon Femi Gbajabiamila who recently bought a G wagon Mercedes valued at 100 million naira for his wife as a present for her 50th birthday came under attack in his Lawschool WhatsApp group from his classmates and he replied thus…
PART 1
This is Femi G response on his law sch what’s app group
My dear “friends” I thank you for all your comments. I ordinarily was going to keep a dignified silence on this whole sordid matter and indeed I have. This is the first comment I am making in all of this. I honestly thought this was a platform of classmates and of lawyers. I thought the legal training was that there were 2 sides to every story and maybe sometimes even a 3rd. Many have said you’re only saying the truth but I don’t know how one gets to the truth by hearing only one side and not giving the benefit of doubt but passing a hurried judgment. I would have expected those who seek the truth to reach out even if privately like Frank did. 3 of our classmates were at this very small private gathering of family and friends namely Candide Johnson, Mike Igbokwe ,and Folabi Martins.
Now What are the issues
- My wife of 26 years who I love to death turned 50 and I decided to do something special for her. Her 50th did not happen unexpectedly. I knew a couple of years God sparing her life she would turn 50 and I prepared for it. This is a woman who has been with me through thick and thin and stood as a pillar of support and who at one time was the breadwinner. Hell I may even have saved up for it or sold an old car to make up the numbers you guys do not know. I believe the cost of a vehicle pales into insignificance when you consider the sacrifices our wives make on the daily.
- We are all educated and can look up the cost of the car. Not even half of the 100m in social media.
- What I wear is non of y’alls business as I’m sure there will be people who’s attire or jewelry or shoes on this platform I may not like but will not deride them for it.
- I had a tear to plan for this and I did.
- We had a family gathering and few friends of about 30 in all in my house for thanks giving and prayers. It was a breakfast get together. My wife’s pastor prayed Gave a sermon, praise n worship and guests had breakfast. The whole affair was meant to have ended by 6. Unfortunately some people came after work as it was a weekday.
- I purchased my wife’s car from the US and unfortunately the car was delayed at the ports for 4 days. She was meant to get her gift at midnight of her birthday in the privacy of our home.
- I called Mr Folabi Martins the day before her birthday ( he happens to be the lawyer to Maersk the shipping co) and he made frantic efforts to call the md.
- Man proposes God disposes and there was little I could do the car never came.
- It came as a surprise to me when the car was driven by the agents into my compound at 7.30 pm with a few guests and my family members still present. There was little I could do.
- How the above facts can draw such vitriol from this platform shocks me to the marrow but then like they say it is what it is.
- My “brother” who commented above that I crave publicity or wanted this on social media I’m sorry we may be classmates but you do not know me.
- Guys I have paid my dues in this country. I did not gift a car to a girlfriend like many do. I gave it to my WIFE!!
- Now assuming this was a public display which it most certainly wasn’t does it warrant the things I am reading on this platform the extent of venom and crucifixtion from you guys ? Or is there something else here ?
- I must say a big thank you to Frank and to Afolabi who has called me severally and stood in support. I also thank you Mike Igbokwe for the staunch support you put up on anothe platform of yours.
- I am surprised that no one here is discerning to see that this is a political hatchet job but I will continue to focus on my work. Enough said
God bless our class of 84
PART 2 HIS CLASSMATES REACTS Below……
God bless the class of 84 indeed!
My dear brother, your explanation is well taken and understood. If I truly take you as a brother (and I do even if in speaking the truth, it appears otherwise), then I must say it as I feel it. Now, I know this may earn me instant and swift condemnation from those eager to please. But believe me that many here may not fully buy into your explanation but do not want to get involved as it may not be considered politically expedient to do so. And I don’t blame them, that is the Nigerian clime. However, I am not a politician. I have never been one and do not ever plan to be one. Nor have I sought or received political patronage. I am a man who says it as I see it and if I cannot freely air my sincere views in a platform of classmates (provided I am not breaching any of our rules) then I have no business being here. I might as well exit. But since I have no such plans, I crave everyone’s indulgence to say my piece.
My brother, the point is that ours is an impoverished and depressed economy with the vast majority living below subsistence level. Minimum pay by the FG is N18,000 if I am correct. Many do not even earn that. State governments are owing workers several months arrears in salaries. Many barely eke out a living. Life is short and brutish and hard for most even for young university graduates. I am told that most fresh Lawyers in Abuja earn anything between N50,000 and N150,000 monthly. In our time, we could buy a car (even if it was 3rd hand) after our NYSC. Not for today’s graduate except the very few whose parents can assist them. The cost of living is astronomically and unbearably high. People are dying of starvation.
As an elected public official paid from the public coffers a certain level of sensitivity to our economic reality is expected. A higher standard is expected. If one was entirely in the private sector, few will bat an eyelid on what one does with his or her resources, no matter how earned. But in a clime where there is so much corruption in the system, where political office is seen as the gateway to a “good” life, it behooves a holder of such office to be very circumspect in his public or private display of wealth. Why? Most don’t care to know how one acquired his or her wealth! All they know is that such a person is a political office holder! And we all know what that is interpreted to mean in our country – rightly or wrongly. That one worked hard and earned one’s wealth prior to holding office is immaterial to most. Being a politician holding public office puts that person in the eye of the storm. Such persons almost cannot have a private life. In civilized climes, all actions are scrutinized, one’s private business as a public office holder becomes everybody’s business. Ask Donald Trump and other public office holders in western democracies. That is the truth!
I personally do not think that most of those who expressed themselves on the pf today were being hastily judgemental without hearing the other side as being alleged. More so, as the basic facts as tendered through the video have not really been rebutted. While I may be wrong, I do not want to believe anyone was playing politics either. On the contrary, I believe most on this pf are proud of the achievements of our classmates particularly those considered the shining lights of the class – whether in politics, the judiciary, industry and other spheres of life. I personally feel tall when I tell people my classmate is so and so in my country. But must we act dumb and turn a blind eye when we should speak up and give counsel in truth and love? Methink not so.
I still maintain that a public officer paid by public funds, (no matter who it is) in the midst of a poverty stricken economy ought to show utmost restraint, modesty and sensitivity in the display of wealth – whether acquired legitimately or not particularly in the light of our present circumstances as a nation.
For someone in public office, there are many ways to show deep appreciation to loved ones without attracting undue attention to oneself. Truth is that in an age ruled by social media, there is hardly anything we do that involves more than two people that does not have the potential of going viral particularly when done by someone in the eye of the public. Having come this far in life, we have all certainly paid our dues. And no one should begrudge us some of the luxuries of life. However, when it comes to a holder of an office paid for by tax payers, the way and manner of expressing oneself becomes very pertinent. I repeat, there is a higher standard of modesty required of such a person. We pontificate on this pf about the ills in our society. We try to proffer solutions, ways forward, we condemn the condemnable and praise the praiseworthy, etc.
My brothers and sisters, we are no longer kids, obviously we are adults – senior citizens! We should be able to tell ourselves the honest truth – in love – and without fear or favor otherwise our avowed oneness is fake and superficial. As Gramps Uye will always remind us … the man died who kept silent … when he should speak up.
I have spoken up as I feel – with absolutely no ill will towards any. So, if I have hurt anyone’s feelings in expressing mine, accept my deep apologies. For me, this is done. Now, I go sidon look and I know that inspite of my appeal, the bullets will come flying so, let them come 😂🤣 Never Alone! God bless NLS class of 1984!
PART 3
Toh …. 🙈
FOOL!!
That’s why he dressed like a clown and his wife like a bird on Sesame Street or village masquerade and then wrote assurance on the number plate???
How berating and debasing!!! Assurance of what???? Or what’s he sorry for??? What Lubricity and moral turpitude!!!!!
How stupid does he think Nigerians are? or rather he himself must be on some idiotic drug, well he has to have overdosed on the pill of stupidity and irresponsibility.
REMIND ME, WHAT DOES HE DO AGAIN? – public officer? Accountable to who? MORON!!
His best friend my foot, who also is a coke head and has been his support through his egregious life stealing clients money in Atlanta and even at, that still being made a government official with responsibility to his people. A leopard cannot change his spots!!
The debauchery is sickening and his outright display of decadence and venality is an insult to the Nigerian populace.
He should be stripped of his political apparatus and be made an example for all to see and maybe, just maybe things might start to change. And the stupid Alcoholic anonymous ladies in the video that were cheering him on also are depraved and deprived, when we stop singing the praises of corrupt and immoral public officers who use the money that belong to all Nigerians for their own personal and selfish aggrandizement and we start stoning them, then we can start talking about rebuilding this Nation! The ladies in the stupid and clownish looking head gears too should be ashamed of themselves, it’s because of people like them that the poor suffer in Nigeria-
It is enough, nobody cares bout his stupid Mea culpa.
He should have thought his actions through if the people he is supposed to serve meant anything to him.
We need to take our country back from these Ragamuffins!!!!!!!
Every action has a reaction and he is accountable and responsible for every action he takes that violates the trust and funds placed in his hands as a public servant!!!
COMMENT – Nigeria needs more of Gbaja’s classmates on their social media group platforms without fear, tell them the truth and where to go with their ill-gotten wealth, we are no longer impressed. Hold there feet to the fire.
NIGERIANS REALLY NEED TO TAKE THEIR COUNTRY BACK FROM ‘THESE RAGAMUFFINS’!!!
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