THE gripe, the root cause yet unknown, of Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal against Islamic clerics and preachers, is undoubtedly real. Aside the viral look of disgust he cast assumedly in their direction at the burial rites for his aged mother, that he would double-down in defiance when a window of apology was prised for him by his preacher-friend, showed he really wanted to do what Yoruba will describe as “o fe ba awon aafa mu nkan nile” {an all-out war} with the clerics.
Well, Marshal would have his reasons for turning on the “saints” of his faith, but it can’t possibly be because he is lacking in material things, including food, to cater to their needs, even on a daily basis. By Nigeria standard, KWAM 1, is rich and very influential. In doubt? Consider this. How many Nigerian musical acts got direct presidential call when their mothers died.
Just like Yinka Ayefele described the flamboyant chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zach Adedeji as his “ikoko obe” {soup pot or a fountain of fortune} in his latest release, Wasiu’s ikoko obe is in Nigeria’s presidential villa. The president himself doesn’t have to dole cash to his beloved minstrel “son” again, the influence of being intimate with the number one citizen is enough to fill KWAM 1’s ban with unsolicited largesse from those who seek the “understanding” of his big friend on the rock.
Even for the sake of being able to use Wasiu as a chord to connect Aso Rock, he can be paid handsomely to perform at social events where he would not have ever been considered if the president wasn’t his open patron. Even where he is the choice pick, planned naira-dew-drop can become a dollar-rain soiree, not because he is extraordinarily talented {and he is because it isn’t a joke to hit stardom since Tala ‘84 and still be lyrically-relevant almost four decades after bursting into national limelight} but because the crooner is famous beyond music and favour-seekers can go to any length, to have an influence-wielding fellow, anywhere in the world, on their side. Did you see the recent viral video of a man in jeans and T-shirt, serenading Wasiu with bundles of naira notes, while the musician kept singing “owo ope lo n na {he is being appreciative}. Of what, we were not told.
In the Christendom today, the grace to be a person of influence is a major prayer point. In fact, in government circles, from Abuja to Washington, lobbying is legitimate. In America, particularly in the seat of power, you regularly hear of Washington lobbyists and it is a kind of consultancy recognised all over the world as long as you have lawful access and legitimate reach to leverage power.
Except one is playing blind and deaf, just like Seyi, the president’s biological son, who is reportedly warming up to rule Lagos like his dad, Ayinde Wasiu is a Nigerian power-broker, forget whether he read book or not {educated or not}, because the man who loves him is the president of Nigeria, with enormous constitutional power and gargantuan assumed authority. Which reminds me of a cliche preached in Christendom; don’t bother about who hates you but who loves you. Without diminishing his musical exploits and the attendant material successes and influence, given the array of overly qualified Ijebu sons, Wasiu’s name-recognition alone might have taken him, but likely not as fast he mounted the Olori omoba Akile Ijebu throne, which death compelled FCMB founder, Otunba Subomi Balogun, to vacate. His friend, the president just visited the Awujale. Yoruba will say aje ke lana, omo ku loni Tani ko mo wipe aje ana lo pomo je {the witch ululated yesterday the child died today, it is easy to connect the two events}.
Wasiu may not be dripping charm, but it would be unfair to ink all of his name-brand to his long-running friendship with the president. Through his craft, he has built relevance for himself. Since his gluttony barb at the Islamic clerics, Ganusi {roughly translating as salivating} has become the buzz-word in the street and the social media, irrespective of age, gender, faith, education and social climb. That is something you don’t achieve overnight, though granted the social media has become the vehicle to hearts, homes and brains, saturating everywhere with both the desirable and the unwanted.
But there is still no denying that Wasiu is not just your everyday Nigerian, though those who do not like his political association and affiliation hardly see anything good in his doings. But reality says KWAM 1 is a national and even an international brand and the virality of the broadside he fired at the Alfas is a testament.
And that is why he can’t be reckless with his mouth and emotions, whether he is soundly educated or not, because self-restraint has little to do with grammatical proficiency or Harvard degree. Factional Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, is as educated as they get, yet he is as loquacious as the word itself.
In a WhatsApp group I belong, the foreboding sense is that “Wasiu ti fenu ko” {Wasiu’s mouth has landed him in trouble}, arising from the fear that Islamic clerics everywhere would likely see his degrading description as a collective insult and metaphysically gang-up against him. Well, I don’t know about shepherd harming their sheep, but the music icon would have to take some steps backward to reconsider some of his public acts and antics. He can’t retain forever the mentality of the young instrument loader in the service of Ayinde Barrister {now late}, though the street, which practically worships him, is undoubtedly his base. That makes him a role model even a god to a demographic which is mainly youth and it would not matter if the group under consideration is inhabited by those that would be generally viewed as uncultured and uncouth. As long as they are part of the headcount, they matter and he is expected to be a force of good to them and an inspirational figure who made good of his life despite all odds. He can be baba igboro {area fada} without speaking like someone locked in ogogoro fermentation plant all night. The sad part is he is making a pattern of it, though the leading lights of Fuji have also structured its percussion to be heavily-pejorative, due to their regular rivalries, even when extolling. The other day, Wasiu was laying laceratingly into Akinwunmi Ambode, following the fallout with his ikoko-obe. The fellow was still governor when the musician savaged him with what Yoruba will call “eebu ara” {body shaming his flourishing cheeks}, Now that the estranged baba kekere to Tinubu, Rauf Aregbesola is now finally out of Bourdillion and Villa’s favour, won’t be surprised if Wasiu goes after him. Maybe Aregbe’s body frame{?} will be the focus this time, though Yoruba will say “ti aja ba nsinwin {there is always a limit}, but maybe not, when one’s god is involved.
Two years ago, Wasiu celebrated 50 years on stage and by March 3 this year, God preserving him, he would be just two years shy of 70. Alhaji is an elder. Yoruba will say “agba ki soro bi ewe” {an elder should shun childish stuff}.
READ ALSO: Why I performed at Onikijipa’s daughter’s wedding same day I lost my mother — Wasiu Ayinde
