I read the story of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick (22 November 1428 – 14 April 1471), known as Warwick the Kingmaker, from Wikipedia and other history books and saw so many lessons and parallels to draw from, for the kings, would be kings and kingmakers.
He was an English nobleman, administrator, and military commander who became Earl of Warwick through marriage. He became wealthy and very powerful, having political connections that went beyond the shores of the country.
With this clout, history has it that he was instrumental in the deposition of two kings, which led to his title, "Kingmaker".
Originally, he was a supporter of King Henry VI; however, a territorial dispute with Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, led him to collaborate with Richard, Duke of York, in opposing King Henry VI.
This conflict, benefited him greatly in the following years, having become Captain of Calais. In the course of this political battle, York was killed, and Warwick's father.
York's son, with Warwick's assistance, later triumphed, and was crowned King Edward IV. Edward initially ruled with Warwick's support, but the two later fell apart.
Warwick was torn between two ends. To install George, Duke of Clarence (Edwards brother), or to restore Henry VI to the throne. He chose the later.
The victory what was short-lived, as he was defeated on 14 April 1471, by Edward at the Battle of Barnet, and killed.
In 1999, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu became the governor of the most populous state in Nigeria, which is also one of the richest states.
Over the years, he too, like Warwick became powerful and wealthy with political connections extending beyond Lagos State.
As the years wore on, his wealth, power and clout continued to grow. Political big-wigs started reckoning with him and were joining forces with him, or risk political death. At least in the South Western states of Nigeria.
The climax of the powerful political growth was reached in 2015, when he successfully and strategically rallied opposition parties to dethrone the incumbent President of the Federal republic of Nigeria, Good luck Ebele Jonathan.
The icing on the cake, which was used to sway the masses was the erstwhile impeccable characteristics of former Head of State Rtd. Major General Muhammadu Buhari, who was, and is still seen by many as not corrupt, and would be able to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.
From 2015, starting from the first speech given by President Mohammadu Buhari, where he stated that "he belonged to everybody and he belonged to no one", the tone that an imminent battle was soon going to ensue between the king and the kingmaker, was set.
Till date, there have been overtures and maneuvers, plots and counter-plots in the political sphere of Nigeria.
Having made a king in the president and other kings in several governors, it is wildly touted that the time has come for the kingmaker to make himself king.
This is a rare feat to achieve barring the one seen in Russia, albeit not an easy one.
It is however wise, for kingmakers to remain as kingmakers and wiser still, to step back, become an elder statesman when the ovation is loudest.
Sadly, kings and kingmakers have always had many people around them who do not have their interests at heart. These people cheer them on when they are actually on a downward spiral.
It is logical, and behooves on the king and kingmakers to sniff the air objectively and not be carried away by the chants of sycophants.
MansaMusa has spoken!
