I had never given a chance to knowing or studying what nemesis really is, except the conventional Bible teaching, referencing and perhaps, stories and myths related to the play of nemesis handed over through tales and folklores.
While I was having a fruitful discussion with a group of progressives yesterday, the word nemesis popped up and I had a rap on my brain to know what it deeply means.
Simply put, nemesis to me summarily means the inescapable agent of someone or somethings downfall! It could be through a friend or foe; most times through ones rival, arch-rival, arch enemy, antagonist and even protagonist in varied cases.
In the ancient Greek, nemesis is known as Rhamnousia or Rhamnusia .Her name was derived from the Greek words nemêsis and nemô, meaning “dispenser of dues.”
Rhamnousia is the goddess of Rhamnous who is believed to be in charge of indignation against and retribution for evil deeds and undeserved good fortune. She was the personification of the resentment aroused in those who committed crimes with apparent impunity, those who have inordinate ambitions and uncouth good fortune.
Nemesis i.e Rhamnousia, is believed to be responsible for checking excesses or undue luck, favour gotten through tricks and pranks, especially at the detriment of persons or group of people through the back door; little wonder she was seen as an avenger or punishing divinity.
Another swift but interesting meaning of nemesis as researched, is a person or thing that is very difficult for someone to defeat or conquer. In other words, people one helped bring in through the back door could just be ones bad luck, antagonist or nemesis.
One of the things that caught my attention was the fact that nemesis has a symbol; Like justice, her symbol, like that of justice is also a measuring rod or scale, “osuwon” in yoruba. Does it now mean that nemesis is justice? If not, does it mean justice and nemesis are Siamese twin conjoined with no option of separation? This I believe is debateable probably in another discussion sometimes later.
If the questions raised in the paragraph above seems true, then it will be just apt to say that Sanator Dino Melaye has met or he is about to meet his nemesis in his protégé and once hurriedly arranged mentee.
When the rumour of recalling him started, I took it with a pinch of salt not knowing that the actors involved have beautifully mastered their act perfectly and are ready to unleashing the terror continuously until the targeted is captured. It looked as if they left no stone unturned as reality began to unveil itself on the recalcitrant Senator.
Again, my research showed me that nemesis doesn’t fight a no just cause, meaning that you must be involved in a particular act before she strikes.
Moving forward, was Dino involved in enthroning Yahaya Bello? Yes! Was he offered incentives in kind and otherwise? Absolutely!!
So what caused the crack, the fight and the war? He Dino, wants to have absolute control of Bello. Does it look like greed, undue fortune or influence or impunity? Totally yes!!!
Not even the court that Senator Dino ran to could safe or halt this recall process as it where as all is really looking set for the home coming of SDM the “ajekuniya” crooner. This further confirms the adage that advices anyone who wants to dine with the devil to please make sure they have a very very long spoon.
Of all the past Senators produced from kogi West senatorial district, none of them had the luck of been badly battered, bruised and boxed to the corner like the present Senator Melaye who happens to be youngest among them to have taken a senatorial seat from that axis. Painfully so is that, the man pioneering his exit, is the same man he foisted on people has God’s will for the state. If Yahaya Bello as purported by SDM is God choice for the state, then whatever he does (including sponsoring Dino’s recall) is God’s will and must be accepted by all without questioning.
Another lesson learnt from this episode is that, as much as you help outsiders, please extend same to your kinsmen because when outside becomes too hot, you won’t have an option than to return home. Just imagine that SDM was not overtaken by self aggrandizement, he would have thrown his weight at the emergence of Faleke his kinsman; today, this unnecessary bickering and show of strength wouldn’t have turned so messy before it is nipped in the bud.
Though Senator Melaye characteristically felt, he could cause GYB a sleepless night but more than the proverbial child that won’t allow her mother sleep in the night, he himself will not only keep vigils but will also be deprived of taking a nap at day time.
My breif research into nemesis, got me the conclusion that, Yahaya Bello sadly, is the “dispenser of dues” to Dino Melaye. He is the male version of Rhamnousia who is assigned by destiny to avenge Dino’s wrong doing to the entire state because of present and personal gains. But who now is GYB’s “dispenser of dues”, who is Yahaya Bello’s nemesis?
– Babajide Obafemi writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
