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By Lexzy Ochibejivwie
Recently, I stumbled on a still picture in one of the social media platforms that initially really cracked me up. On seeing the picture, I took steps to verify its label and to see whether it was photo-manipulated. You know in this age, anything is possible. But I got all doubts cleared. The picture was real after all. The weird picture and the figure at the centre of it all also made me cringed.
I really laughed uncontrollably at first on seeing the picture. But the laugher snapped away and soon gave way to disdain. Mixed feelings, innit? But I was sure that of the contrastive feelings, one became dominant – the one I didn’t initially have on seeing the picture. Would you blame me? In the recent days, ordinary Nigerians have been treated to so many funny-sad episodes, especially by powerful state officials. Really, I was sombre and sober, when I saw the quaint picture. The thought of it made me feel funny on the inside and triggered the circumspective spirit in me. I was sure a desperado is again on the prowl.
So much for the talk. Let me now tell you about the figure in the picture. It was Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Nigeria’s state of Edo and immediate past National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) in Nigeria, practically grovelling before some Enigies in a recent public function, apologizing for backing a supposed wrong candidate in 2016 and seeking their support for his now supposed right candidate in the forthcoming election in Edo.
I had known Mr. Oshiomhole as an extreme go-getter. I had known him as daring. I had known him as fiercely fearless and capable of dismantling political establishment.
I had known him as a smooth talker, a person even with a sweet tongue for licking bitter things. I had even known him to be someone who is double-mouthed. Most importantly, I know him as uncompromising in political principle (for me, he has since lost this trait though). But for all that Oshio Baba (as he is widely regarded) is worth, I could not think that he could be like a poor school boy kneeling to beg his teacher, just to escape punishment. Yet, the picture, as widely circulated, was a wonder in and of itself. Wonder, it is said, shall never end. But beyond this, there seems to be a suspicious effect to what Oshiomhole did. Do not get me wrong, as a cultured African; I am not against kneeling down and asking for forgiveness from elders (though some Christian denominations may not agree with me on this). But that of Oshiomhole was really quaint, considering his history of being daring and audacious, even to some political elders. Here, I do not want to engage in name-calling. But you do know that the records of the former Nigerian labour leader, now turned real Nigerian politician, in calling the bluff are compelling.
In the 2016 Edo governorship election, Mr. Oshiomhole campaigned for his protégé, incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki. They have since fallen apart, as you may well know. All manner of tainted interests have played into their relationship and things between the duo are no longer decent. I should think that as it is typical among godfathers in Nigerian politics, meddlesomeness tried to laud it over assertiveness. The result of this in the Edo politics of recent years is in the public domain. In the last governorship election in the state, Oshiomhole assembled a team that turned out to be indomitable. He made an unapologetic choice and executed a deft campaign. Against all odds and with subtlety, he compelled Edo people to accept his choice. The campaign was in fact executed, as if his body, soul and spirit depended on it.
Nowhere in the history of politics in the state, did I experience a campaign as resolute and sure. The campaign too was extreme, calling then-PDP candidate Pastor Ize-Iyamu all kinds of unprintable names, including a specialist in mismanagement. At the time he did all of this, the maverick Iyamu strongman thought he was de-marketing a bad product. But events in the recent years show that by de-marketing Ize-Iyamu in 2016 and now marketing him in 2020, Oshiomhole has succeeded in de-marketing his political career. If Oshiomhole has confessed openly to Edo people he didn’t judge correctly then, how does he hope to convince Edo people he will be right this time? His interest appears now to be predominantly go-getting than corrective.
If this is true, then Oshiomhole is not truly repentant. The question to really ask: has Oshiomhole cured himself of his error of judgment? The show of shame and prodigal son-like attitude he displayed in the picture is enough proof that Oshiomhole desperation is a suspect. A man who could do this in public must really have done worse in the private. What is really at the core of Oshiomole’s action is not in the act, but a testament to the fact that he always goes to the extreme to ensure that his stooges win an election. Why Oshiomhole will go to such extent is a matter for another day. But in all of this, I am interested in what Governor Obaseki does to get re-elected – seeing the extreme efforts of his estranged leader.
I recall the Ambode example in Lagos, and the humiliation that the former Lagos governor faced. I am aware that there are opinions that what happened to Ambode is likely to happen to Obaseki. I have also heard people say that Edo is not Lagos. They may be right, they may also be wrong. But the only person who should prove the otherwise of these extreme views is Godwin Obaseki, of course, with the support of Edo people. Governor Obaseki has shown tenacity, worthy of a public character of his stature.
That he is still on the ballot to contest the September 19 election and a candidate of a leading opposition party is enough proof that Edo is not Lagos.
Now that Oshiomhole has grovelled just to get his stooge elected, Obaseki must have to do something really decent. He must remind Edo people of why Oshiomhole went to that length of kneeling down in public before he passes his point across. He must remind his people of what Oshiomhole (not Edo people) stand to gain should Ize-Iyamu become governor. Governor Obaseki must remind the people of the major progress that Edo has recorded since becoming governor.
I am aware that he has made one or two mistakes in the course of governance. I know Governor Obaseki has not really been stable ideologically – he is a typical Nigerian politician anyway. Now is the time to decently acknowledge his fault and let his people know how he can decently make amends. No governor is utterly bad, and, none so good. In the end, it is the people that matter.
Ochibejivwie wrote in from Warri, Delta state.
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