Robinson Tombari Sibe
It appeared a foregone conclusion. The world had taken the seat, bought popcorns, and waiting for the world cup play-off cracker that us to come, between Italy and Portugal. Both had one opponent, each, to contend with, before the decisive cracker. Portugal had Turkey; Italy had Northern Macedonia. It was easy for the bookmakers to call it. Portugal vs Italy was as sure as today. It never happened. The North Macedonian team, ranked 131st in FIFA ranking, defeated the Almighty Azurris. Italy is out of the world cup. Out! Dispatched by Northern Macedonia on the 24th March 2022.
Dateline 24th March 2022. Down in the tropics, there was another mild shock. Peter Obi, who had attended Atiku Abukakar’s Presidential declaration the day before, appeared in front of the Elders in his state, to declare his ambition to run for the same position. Many had dismissed his chances after attending what would be seen as his opponent’s declaration. Peter took them unawares, in a quiet declaration, devoid of the usual razzmatazz. Yet, even in the quietude, this was major breaking news.
Rewind to about the year 50 AD. St. Paul had a vision of a man pleading that he come to Macedonia to help. Macedonia featured prominently in the Bible. On one occasion, in what is known as the second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas had a sharp division about the trip to parts of Macedonian. This led to a split, and both parted ways. Barnabas chose his cousin John Mark and Paul would later choose a new partner in Silas.
Fast forward back to 24th March, the day Northern Macedonia defeated almighty Italy. Will Peter’s declaration signal the end of his partnership with Atiku, like Paul and Barnabas? Will Peter, the underdog, cause an upset for Atiku, his illustrious “leader”, like Northern Macedonia did to almighty Italy? Barnabas was never featured in the Bible after this encounter with Paul; will this event signal the Political end of the ambitions of one of Atiku or Peter? Northern Macedonian is now billed to play a more illustrious Portugal, fielding stars like Cristiano Ronaldo; is Peter able to defeat old warhorses like Atiku, and possibly formidable foes like Tinubu. Will Peter spring an upset?
I’m not sure if Peter preached elaborately in Northern Macedonia but he was the rock, upon which the church was built. Will this Nigerian Peter be the rock, upon which a new Nigerian is built?
I don’t have answers to these questions. As a matter of fact, me sef no understand how a simple Facebook post wey I been wan do, come end up complicated like this.
