YB Galadima
I have read many posts, comments, counter-posts and counter- comments after the recent ECWA TV Interview where the former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Arc. Bala Bantex and Comrade Jonathan Asake, Southern Kaduna People’s Union, SOKAPU, President were hosted.
Surfing through social media handles, I saw how both the old and young, Southern Kaduna (SK) people and non-SK people bore their minds and still bare their minds over the interview session leaves much to be desired. I say this unequivocally as my own personal take. This is because everyone has his/her opinion on the interview, which some have dutifully and unmistakably expressed.
From all the write-ups and or comments that have ensued as the aftermath of the said interview, the conglomeration of which when streamlined would funnel into now the moniker Bantex’s “timely” repentance has foisted on him : “THE PRODIGAL SON .” Yes, Bantex as now the prodigal son has returned home to be forgiven for “his sins”. Well, taking off from this point, one question that keeps agitating in my mind is, who is truly not a prodigal son? I have restrained myself from the temptation of doing a parallel comparison between the main Biblical prodigal son and Bantex.
Be that as it may, one striking feature/ attribute of the Biblical story of the prodigal son which I will pick out to buttress the gravamen of my piece and juxtaposing same with the “bold”, “courageous” step taken by Bantex to publicly repent, denounce, renounce “his sins” against his people is this : both men realised their “riotous lifestyles ” and at the same time remembered their home /father, to run back to. Good for them! However, what stands out from the biblical story of the prodigal son was the uncommon and unalloyed display of affection and love by the father of the prodigal son towards his son. That in itself formed the fulcrum and or the high point for the parable. The same will be the test for the repentance of the prodigal son, Bantex.
TAKE NOTICE, I had earlier stated that I have fought the temptation of comparing and contrasting the lives and times of the two men in context. I still remain on my oars about that. However, whilst the “open repentance” to Southern Kaduna by Bantex has already been written in the annals of our history, what history is looking forward to write is how SK people will receive, embrace, and welcome him back into their fold. This is because the SK people are the home and the father Bantex has now run to; awaiting and anticipating the type of reception the Biblical prodigal son got from his father.
For us in the SK, now isn’t the time to throw away the dirty bath water with the baby. No! And since Bantex had publicly confessed his sins towards us, we should also publicly accept and forgive him his sins to the shame of the Devil (our enemy), regardless of the “mountains” of his sins. This is because, we, as a people are facing a well-orchestrated war against our common existence that we should not afford to lose one of our soldier for the battle. This wouldn’t be asking for too much.
However, I am appealing to the conscience of our people within and in the diaspora to stay off all chastisement, lashing, scolding on Bantex. At least, not now, not for Arc. Bala Bantex.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Y. B Galadima, Esq;
ybgalas@gmail.com
09081254041(SMS only).
This is the right way to go. The fact is he has apologized. God has forgiven him. If as a people we refused to accept his apology or do not accept him the way the father of the prodigal son did, it will be an unfortunate situation because God has forgiven him and to my understanding, that’s what matters.
Did Bantex really apologized?