EDO APC GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARY: HOW A COMRADE BECAME A GODFATHER

Adams Oshiomhole reminds one of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana who started well but ended badly with the derailment of his political train, thereby leaving a distasteful legacy because of unlimited urge to lord it over and above everybody within his reach. With the emergence of Godwin Obaseki, as the flag bearer of APC in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has shown clearly that he is never a true democrat or Comrade, but a despotic godfather in the mold of Chief Tony Anenih, whom he dethroned via the 2007 governorship election.

Pebbles with Igbotako Nowinta

After months of expected anxiety, tension and high wire politicking within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State of Nigeria, in which renowned political brothers became sudden arc enemies, the much talked about primary of the party has been held, and a winner, announced.

Since 2010 when the party metamorphosed from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of the mega merger with other political parties, the type of political acrimony, extreme bad blood and outright malice that engulfed the party nay the members have been quite unprecedented.

Certainly, that was not the situation in 2007 and 2011 within the party when the sitting Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was the sole or adopted candidate of the party for the two governorship elections.

For a man who had made his name a household one as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) during the tenure of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, the road to his historic adoption as the undisputed candidate for two consecutive times was smooth for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

We must remember quickly that Adams Oshiomhole had flirted with the Labour Party (LP) and the then All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), but seeing that his chances of clinching the ultimate prize (Governorship seat) was slim with those parties, he decided to jump to the ship of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Therefore, Oshiomhole made history as the first ever comrade to become governor of a state, more so a state that is much envied for its unique nature and one that every political party wants to win and call its own.

So, on November 12, 2008 after a most rigorous legal battle that climaxed at the Court of Appeal, which eventually validated his election as Governor of the state, many political observers expected Comrade Oshiomhole to throw his weight behind a ‘comrade’ as his successor at the expiration of his tenure on November 12 2016.

But that was never to be as the Comrade Governor consistently kept the word of promise to their ears and broke it to their hopes. This was even after he had toyed with the idea of supporting a fellow comrade, Peter Esele, former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), who went on his way to participate in the just concluded APC primary.

At a point in time shortly after the Comrade Oshiomhole was reelected for a second tenure in office in 2011,it was widely rumored within the seat of power in Benin City, Edo State, that a former secretary to the state government and frontline politician, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was penciled down to succeed him.

It was not unconnected with the ‘governorship slot’ that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was Director-General of Adams Oshiomhole 2011 Campaign Organization, angrily fell out with the Governor and subsequently left with his supporters to pitch his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Press statements that emanated from Pastor Ize-Iyamu at that period of his exit from APC showed clearly that he had wanted to succeed the comrade Governor; and that he was deeply wounded, disappointed and betrayed.

Is it Dr. Pius Egberamwen Odubu, who so far has been deputy Governor to Comrade Oshiomhole since 2008, who equally took part in the just ended APC party primary? Adams Oshiomhole did not see the wisdom in handing over power to him, in spite of his celebrated loyalty to a fault.

It was quite disturbing some months ago, when Governor Oshiomhole allegedly accused Dr. Odubu of planning to kill him. As if that was not enough, the campaign train of Dr. Odubu was viciously attacked by thugs allegedly loyal to Comrade Oshiomhole, along with exchanges of verbal tirades between Edo State’s number one and two citizens.

Barr. Osarodion Ogie former Chief of Staff for four years under Oshiomhole, current Commissioner for Works, known for his absolute loyalty to Governor Oshiomhole was earlier speculated as ‘anointed’ to replace his boss in November this year, bowed to pressure by collapsing his governorship aspirations structures into that of Godwin Obaseki, head of Edo State Economic Team, before the just concluded primary of APC.

The way and manner Governor Adams Oshiomhole embarked on the project to select his successor before the primary, speaks volume about his lack of sincerity, fairness, transparency, due process and avowed slogan of ‘one man one vote.’

The way and manner those who opposed his choice of Godwin Obaseki, a dyed-in-the-wool Aliko Dangote man were treated portrayed him as a rightist to the core; a desperate pretender; a false comrade who is interested in only his parochial and selfish interest alone.

We should not forget easily the role played by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in building the party from the scratch here in Edo State. When Pastor Ize-Iyamu and other party faithful felt uncomfortable with the over bearing attitudes of Chief Tony Anenih within the Peoples Democratic Party, shortly before the 2007 Governorship election, they left and formed what became known as the Grace Group.

It was the Grace Group that migrated to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); that helped Governor Oshiomhole to clinch the governorship in 2008.

But, sadly today all those that assisted Adams Oshiomhole to climb the podium of power have been brushed aside and humiliated. Now, a political nonentity called, Godwin Obaseki has been forced on the APC in Edo State by brute force, unbridled intimidations and the wicked power of money.

Godwin Obaseki, known to have strong links with Africa’s richest businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote might not be the messiah that will take Edo State to any greater height.

Why did Oshiomhole abandon all those that had gone through thick and thin with him like Pastor Ize-Iyamu, Barr. Ogie, Dr. Pius Odubu etc.? The reason is not far-fetched.

He simply wants to control the State after his exit from power and to continue to grow in leaps and bounds financially by tying himself with the business interests of Aliko Dangote!
That is why he has aligned himself fanatically with the Godwin Obaseki project not minding whose ox is gored in the process.

It is indeed sad that Adams Eric Oshiomhole has succeeded beyond his wildest imaginations to deceive the ordinary people of Edo State. In 2007 his slogan was “let the people lead and to make poverty history.”

Today, he has not allowed the people to lead instead, he has led them by using a heavy hand full of barbaric and undemocratic tactics; he has simply betrayed the masses of Edo State and impoverished them in the process.

Today, Godwin Obaseki is officially the APC Governorship candidate for the September 10, 2016 Governorship election. How APC as a party will get out of the ashes of acrimony, damaged egos and broken ribs caused by Adams Oshiomhole’s ruthless and inordinate ambition in forcing Godwin Obaseki down the throats of everyone is better imagined?

Adams Oshiomhole reminds one of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana who started well but ended badly with the derailment of his political train, thereby leaving a distasteful legacy because of unlimited urge to lord it over and above everybody within his reach.

With the emergence of Godwin Obaseki, as the flag bearer of APC in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has shown clearly that he is never a true democrat or Comrade, but a despotic godfather in the mold of Chief Tony Anenih, whom he dethroned via the 2007 governorship election.

Now, with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for the 2016 governorship election, the stage is now set for what will go down in the history of Edo State as an election between embittered political enemies.

This is because, truly and clearly, the battle ahead is not going to be between Ize-Iyamu and Obaseki, but between him and Comrade Adams Eric Oshiomhole.