Tony Nwaka Stirs Hornet’s Nest

By TONY NWAKA

TEN years ago, you fought a man in a wrestling competition.

Even though you won the contest, you were unhappy.

You were offended that the man came up as your challenger.

But you later said you’d forgiven him.

For you eventually became his boss.

And to demonstrate your sincerity (for so it seemed),

You invited him into the most sacred corners of your temple.

And for many years you fed him with the choicest foods.

Even your most exotic drinks were at his disposal.

You positioned him as a trusted lieutenant.

The world applauded your vision and magnanimity.

And he took extra steps to serve you loyally and competently.

Now, ten years down the line, you lay an ambush for him.

The same man you told the world you had forgiven.

You now raise an army and resources to bring him down.

Shocked and confused, men of honour run to you and ask,

“Our brother and leader, what is the problem?

Why are you mobilising these deadly forces against him?”

And you reply, “I have not forgotten or forgiven him,

For what he did against me ten years ago.”

“What!” They yell. “You mean you still hold that grudge?

Then you should have kept him at arm’s length from day one.

Why coddle him all these years in your house,

Only to now unleash your wrath with the hammer of death?”

Unbelievable! Preposterous! Sacrilege! Bizarre! Unspeakable!

The heavens rumble and thunder in indignation.

At such a barbaric display of duplicity and cruelty.

For every Sunday, you move from church to church,

Sitting at the front pew, basking in the air of public esteem, Reading the Bible, preaching forgiveness and reconciliation.

Yet, at the same time, you have dug a pit. The boss digs a pit,

For his subordinate whom he had deceptively pulled closer.

No, this is ungodly. The height of hypocrisy and wickedness.

It erases whatever good works you may have done elsewhere.

Indeed an unforgiving spirit is insatiably destructive.

Let’s put an end to this emerging mania of vicious vengeance.