Three years ago, the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, gave a lecture at the Island Club and at the end, publicly promised a sizeable financial donation towards the clubs development.That promise has since become one of the two major catalysts of an unprecedented crisis in a club which for more than 60 years has prided itself as "Nigerias premier social club".Physical combats among members and serious bodily injuries are today features of life in the club. On approaching the gates into the once-dignified premises, members switch on the mental warning: "enter at your own risk"!Regarding the governorship largesse, some members say that the donation promised was N10m and that it had been paid but such record, up till now, is probably in the closet of only those who are privileged to knowNigerian style.Others say that the promise was something like a "comradely joke" by a politician which should not have been taken seriously. Barbs are still flying but members are too busy protecting their heads to care about who gives or doesnt give what. The twin catalyst is a direct affront to the Constitution of the club and a test of how seriously the present generation of members takes its time-tested provision for discipline and personal integrity.In this case, a member who was under disqualification by the Constitution on disciplinary grounds insisted on contesting election into high office. Another member challenged in court what he saw as an effrontery. The court re-affirmed the disqualification.The apparently desperate would-be candidate went on appeal. He sought an injunction to stop the pending election: the Court of Appeal said, no. He asked that the High Court judgment be withheld until the matter was disposed of: he lostagain. The appeal judges then adjourned final judgment indefinitely.Then came the reign of terror. It started with an unprovoked campaign of character assassination on innocent members, especially the elderly who refrained from taking sides.The situation was so bad that the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, a member in his own right and Patron of the club, convened a peace meeting at his official residence to which he invited the Trustees, past chairmen, prominent elders. Members heaved a sigh.Needless to say the meeting ended in shame. Supporters who insisted that their man must occupy office at whatever cost heckled the governor and insulted the Trustees and elders so viciously that the governor halted the meeting abruptly and sent everyone out of his residence.The roundor squaretable had failed, so the next phase was settlement by sticks, broken bottles and axes. Spilling of blood became a frequent sight on the premises. A member who was seen as the arrowhead of opposition to the ambition of the controversial candidate was attacked with bottles twice: the first time he was rescued by other members, the second time he suffered a broken head.When the Board of Trustees made a last-ditch attempt to restore peace by setting up an Interim Caretaker Committee to steer the club to peaceful elections, a member used an axe to break down the notice board in which the decision was pasted, one of his colleagues broke and changed the lock into the Committee Room and the others physically chased the interim members out of the club.Since then, management of the club has been seized mafia-style. Social events held this year have been boycotted by nearly all important guests. The Grand Patron of Island Club is the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, but his office has had no sobering effect on the on-going violent situation. Christmas peace is far from the club this season.Sola Odunfa is Past Hon. General Secretary, Island Club.
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