In-between Omatseye’s Brains and Belly -By Sunday O. Oladepo

I didn’t read any strange slander or unconventional defamation against Peter Obi by Sam Omatseye. I rushed to his Facebook wall to literally see the bomb he detonated in his The Nation’s column. I expected a killer essay against the old and regurgitative defamations. In the essay, I could only read some sycophantic blabs against the daily rising and intimidating acceptability of the Obi candidacy.

The Omatseye I know has never hidden his toadyism for a guessable paymaster. Aside the unstrange sycophancy that’s now notorious with the Omatseye essays, the oldman in his usual belletristic style has deployed sophistry and literary pendatry to assasinate Peter Obi. I didn’t expect Omatseye to waste such literary arsenals against Obi who’ve been taunted to be insignificant and without political structure. I didn’t expect him to exhaust his adjectives in a contumelious shot against a mere Twitter candidate.

The rising popularity in the Obi candidacy is causing disruption. The ovation he commands and the endorsements he receives are becoming threatening. He must be defamed. Even right on social media where he enjoys supports. Someone must do the job. A wordsmith must murder him and announce his obituary. Omatseye was given the gun.

I used to love Omatseye’s art. His use of words. His coinages. But, his Obi-tuary essay, just like his other recent columns, is a reproof that the brains can sometimes become a dependable extension of the stomach. Obi-tuary is a catchword beyond the borders of journalistic decency. Omatseye is at liberty to work and write for anyone. But, I expected him to concentrate his energies to market his candidate. The energy he exerted to malign Obi should’ve been used to rebut many allegations of impersonation, corruption and forgery against his bankroller.

It becomes farcical and laughable that someone who’s brave to deliver the assignment of announcing Obi’s obituary is afraid to read his own obituary. Omatseye has been caterwaling to the littlest throw of threats. I used to think the braves die for their convictions.

Sunday O. Oladepo is a journalist and PR consultant. He can be contacted via sunnexbobo@gmail.com