By Sulayman Jeng, UK
As I write you this letter knowing there is nothing satisfying than being faithful to one’s personal truth, I cannot help but wonder if you ever alert yourself to how history will project you after you are gone or better still few years down the line when you look back at the things you could have done or said differently. One thing is certain though; you are committing so much atrocities and political blunders that your achievements are barely noticeable. The Wolof opined: Sa gay mien mu nge hayne sa domi ndeye molako wah Mr President.
A leader avails and alerts himself to his people’s needs and aspirations. He does not go to bed with a full stomach knowing most of his people are sleeping empty bellies. He does not sleep knowing his people have to constantly look over their shoulders for fear of being unlawfully arrested, detained and intimidated by state security apparatus. Your Excellency, a true leader is humble. Oh; less I forget Mr President please allow me to share with you a narration of one of our very own Senegambia legend Njajang Njai.
Njajang Njai, the great Wolof legendary philosopher, was celebrated within the Wolof Empire for his mesmerizing, rich, and informative truisms. It was narrated that the news of his daughter’s wedding spread like bush fires well beyond the four walls of the Wolof Empire. Anyone that heard the news swore not to miss the wedding. Even his sworn enemies attested to his oratory. He usually left his audience hanging onto his every word. As a result, it was generally concluded since he fascinated his audiences even on occasions in which he was a mere invitee, he will excite all with his newest epigrams on his daughter’s special day. On the D-day, his compound overflew with expectant crowd. When all the respectable village elders took their seats, and the bride sat on a mat in the middle of the anxious crowd, Njajang Njai emerged majestically from his room. A deafening silence descended on the keen spectators as he took his seat among the elders. After what seemed a never ending wait, he cleared his throat and suddenly stood up, like someone stung by a scorpion; he called his daughter’s name thrice and said: “Mbahana” (hat) then he walked off to his room. A bustling murmur started gyrating amongst the dumbfounded crowd. Some were disappointed while others continued to wait for his re-emergence. Confusion engulfed the crowd. Everyone was expecting Njajang Njai to display his finest oratory particularly on his daughter’s wedding day. For him just to come out and tell his daughter Mbahana, which translates a hat, amounts to the worst form of betrayal. The crowd started to disperse as they thought that was it. Some began to suggest that he has lost it. He came out wearing a cheeky smile and began: “I know most of you were expecting me to give a lengthy speech. But I have never given a more appropriate speech than today. If my daughter understood what I told her and acted upon it, she will live happily with both her husband and in-laws. The hat is simple, easy and light. That is why the head carries it without feeling its weight or discomfort. What more can I say to my daughter? He asked”. Two pertinent lessons can be drawn from the above Mr President: humility and wisdom.
Your Excellency, humility and wisdom are two essential vitamins that are deficient in your qualities. Perhaps, you are thinking how I can substantiate my claim. Well, let me begin by drawing your attention to your recent speech marking the Gambia’s 49th national day. The drama you showed as many expected demonstrated your complete lack of humility and wisdom. The moment you ascended the podium, your bloated ego took charge. You behaved as if you were immortal. Ranting and issuing nerve-racking threats thing in your deluded head yes I will tell them my peace of mind. But guess what Mr President; you only ended beating yourself up with unspent anger locked in your icy heart.
Wisdom is the ability to distinguish between wrong and right and been conscious of the minute detail of what goes around you. It guard you from not only publicly showcasing your foolishness but also keeping your integrity in tack. Sometimes, one has to step outside your comfort zone, Mr President, to walk into the real world and seize the moment. True, we all know you have stayed too long down river and your coming up right will usher in turbulent waves. However, that should not stop you from doing the right thing: handing over power and calling for an early election. God is already teaching you a lesson for being arrogant, ruthless and a heartless leader by giving you bowel cancer. How disgraceful will it be when you are found dead in your own pool of poo?
Make peace with God and Gambians before it is too late Mr President. While counting on you living the dream, please beware: niit dafa neuroo lumoi ouyoo.
Yours in the service of the Gambia,
Sulayman Jeng, UK