By Abdullahi M. Abdulmajeed

There is a popular aphorism that postulates that an individual is either born a leader, made a leader or has leadership thrust upon him. But out of these three paradigms of leadership acquisition, where do we begin to situate a man like Prof. Shuaibu Oba Abu? Like all charismatic leaders and avatars that have passed through the earth, the person and subject Prof. Shuaibu Oba naturally evokes intense emotions among friends, followers and foes alike.

For instance, if you had asked Oniye, my friend and a brilliant BUK graduate of Computer Engineering some years back about the Oba Abu personage, he would most certainly take you on a rendition of Professor's humanity; his compassion for and abiding faith in his town, his level headedness and of course his religiosity. But that age long perception has since given way to disappointment and teeth gnashing. At a point, my friend couldn't fathom why the revered English Professor would stoop so low as to follow the Saraki gang. 'What in the world would make a cerebral figure like Oba Abu to stoop to conquer'? He would ask rather sombrely. 'How would Oba Abu mingle with the likes of the Bibire Ajape, Gani Cook-Olododo and the godson?' Why would he want to stake his reputation, his respectability and his pedigree on a brand that is thoroughly damaged and loathed by the majority of the populace? Who are Oba Abu's advisers?

The posers highlighted above have been the hallmark of Prof. Shuaibu Oba's foray into the murky waters of the Nigerian politics. No doubt, he has been embroiled in the rough and tumble of Nigerian politics such that it may be difficult to extricate him from the associated deal making; cronyism and gerrymandering that naturally trail it. That is why a few analysts, including this writer, WERE a bit ambivalent of his stance on partisan politics. But like thousand curious others who decided not to judge him by a future he had not lived; those who are bent on giving him the benefit of the doubt, I have meticulously followed the politics of this colossus inside out, and in all honesty I have not been disappointed for once!

All along, I have consistently asked myself; with a pedigree and education almost unrivalled by his clique, what manner of a political leader would Oba Abu be? Does he have the capacity to be an odd one out of the many scavengers, the marauders and the sycophants that he had then aligned with? Will he mould the PDP into a little more compassionate, a little more progressive (?) and a social democratic alternative to the 'PDP' of the Sarakis? Will he be an enduring transformational leader, a transitional or situational figure or tragic hero? How will history record him vis-à-vis his kind of a political company?

But today, pessimism has given way to hope and valour. Oba Abu has justified that in politics what matters most is the end and not necessarily the means. He has reminded us that if we all sit on the fence and fail to intervene while the lepers have a field day over our collective patrimony, we will all inevitably suffer the consequences; that if politics and political leadership of a people is left in the hands of a few bad men, the passive majority good men must but take the blame. I have therefore come to the realisation that his joining politics is all altruistic; it was not because he wanted anything for himself but his suffering people. And when he decided to pitch his tent with the notorious PDP, it was all because he believed that he could cause a reform from within the party, and not because he wanted to join the bandwagon which is erroneously referred to as the 'winning team' in the Nigerian political lexicon. Whether or not he has achieved the former goal is hardly open to debate (for even the blind can see!) but the latter, the jury is still out!

Oba is the definite role model of an average Ilorin youth. His abiding faith in his hometown reminds us always of that age long unwritten law of Ilorin; be your brother's keeper! This intrepid fighter for and preserver of national unity; this self-sacrificing testimony of the Ilorin spirit and a living martyr to its cause; this indefatigable advocate of equity, accountability and good governance with might and with main; this acclaimed patron of learning and a pillar of support to numerous local educational causes is a refreshing shining light in the hubris of the Nigerian political debris. And like the proverbial candle, Oba had always burnt himself up so that others would see the light. His is that broad shoulder on which every tear of distress may be shed; his is that ear in which every anxiety may be whispered; and his is that hand in which every trust may safely be put.

That is why it is not enough to say Prof. Shuaibu Oba was a onetime Vice Chancellor of a great citadel of learning; it must be added that he was the best of them all. It is not enough to say he is an effective bridge builder; it must be added that he is the best and most effective and best-equipped of them all. And it is not enough to say he is a philanthropist; it must be added that he is the most generous of them all.

No doubt, Oba Abu might have made (and would still make) some mistakes as a mortal but his good works far outweigh his mistakes a million times. I have met leaders in my life but Oba Abu remains a different breed with an infinite capacity to provide leadership even in difficult situations. His is a refreshing reminder that all hope after all is not lost.