Category: Feature

Were debates a constitutional requirement of every election in Nigeria, it would have been interesting to watch Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) square up to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his main rival in the September 19th governorship election in Edo State.

As governor for the past three years, such a debate would have availed Obaseki, particularly, a veritable opportunity to let the world into his achievements and sell himself to the people for re-election. But, as yet, there is no such plan.

This election is pivotal on so many fronts. It is not just about the direction that the state would take after the end of Obaseki’s current administration; it is more about its future and essence; how it would rally from the doldrums and compare on all fronts with other big states in Nigeria.

It is a contest between light and darkness, literally; between a rudderless incumbent and a major opposition figure that had long prepared for the seat; and most importantly, a contest that determines whether the people are genuinely committed to making a complete break from a dreary past and destructive party that had underdeveloped them in the past; or reinvesting their hope in the party that had come to their rescue since 2008.

Will the people allow the prodigal Obaseki to take them back to that ugly past?

This is why there should be a debate to know the mindset and mission of the standard-bearers of the two leading parties, not just lap up their ringing sophistry and colourful manifesto that cannot be critically questioned or dissected. Edo people cannot afford a gamble any more. But, even if there were a debate, would Obaseki have shown up?

His absence would not be for want of eloquence. Far from it! Obaseki is luckily blessed with a luxuriant, accented drawl that would be a draw in the boardroom. The well-founded assumption that he would not attend is predicated on his sudden imperious predilection, which would see him wanting to control the ground rules, determining the moderator and being confident that he can avoid probing questions about his alleged maladministration in Edo State.
If he were perceptive enough, however, he should have, by now, reconciled with himself that there is a distinctly palpable and pervasive lack of enthusiasm for and confidence in his ability to discharge his duties very well as governor.

And, given his unconstitutional handling of the Edo House of Assembly’s inauguration, there is a belief that Obaseki might resort to yet, another round of filibustering to avoid a debate knowing that he would be in grave peril of getting called out for not answering questions appropriately; being fact-checked real-time and finding no place to hide, when asked about his serial failures that have become even more obvious as the local economy has gone into a tailspin.
Interestingly, the buoyancy of the Edo economy was the strength on which he was piggybacked into the Governor’s Office in 2016. Upon his inauguration in 2008, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had embarked on and implemented an ambitious, highly successful statewide programme of road construction and repairs in Edo with a view to re-jigging the economy.

True to his vision, within eight years of his stewardship, over 25 major companies had set up in Edo State with the concomitant provision of jobs and reinvigoration of the local economy. There is notably the $1billion Azura power plant, a Chinese steel and ceramic industries, and the Okpella Cement Company by the Dangote Group also valued at over $1billion among others.

Though blithely Nigerian, the nation’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, would probably not have considered Edo State to site such a monumental project, he however did, because, according to him, “It is a friendly state to invest.” Dangote said at the groundbreaking ceremony of the cement company in 2016, that this was attributed to the economic reforms of Oshiomhole especially, in the area of tax, innovations in rural finance and investment in infrastructure as factors that necessitated an enabling environment that has further provided a platform for future growth.

While attributing the influx of investors to the favourable business environment and government policies among others, Oshiomole had noted then that more indigenous and international investors have indicated interest to invest in the state. This stance explained his plunging headlong into the Obaseki for Governor Project in 2016.

Desirous to make Edo even more economically viable, Oshiomhole swore by Obaseki as his successor, vowing that he (Obaseki) would consolidate on his achievements and do even better and the people believed him, because he under-promised during his electioneering and over-delivered.

Who’s better to take the state economy to Nirvana if not Obaseki? Rather, after being entrusted with power, he plunged the entire state into the Nadir. Now, his story is insipid and tedious and deserving of a better ending than this self-induced ugly turn.

For the records, there was no encumbrance on his ascension to the governorship and the people, who made it so did not expect any during his administration. But Obaseki threw every sense of purpose, of governance and logic to the birds as he embarked on a purely anti-people government – fighting every phantom foe rather than working; commanding rather than consulting, and unearthing the worst impulses of the people and wrecking the fabrics of the local economy.

Yet, Obaseki’s story was once beautiful. With a background in investment banking, he was appointed the Chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team inaugurated by Oshiomole in March 2009. He served well and to the best of his ability and was an integral part of some of the economic reforms initiated and implemented by the Oshiomhole administration. He was unassuming, yet, very efficient and loyal. Indeed, a part of the Oshiomhole success story.
So, during a potential debate, the economy will prove decisive, specifically, how large-scale unemployment and underdevelopment were inflicted on the state as a result of his seeming incompetence and directionless administration?

Where is the Edo economy now and from where did Obaseki take it? What has he done with the allocations coming into the state in the last three and a half years? These are questions he might not be able to answer.

Unfortunately, his MEGA (Make Edo Greater Again) Agenda, which teed-off to a false start, because the name itself was stolen from President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential slogan, Make America Great Again, does not elucidate how he hopes to revive the economy he asphyxiated.

Also, ironic is that the MEGA Agenda claims that, it is focused on a modern and progressive Edo State, where every citizen is empowered with the opportunity to live life in its fullness while his mission is to achieve economic prosperity for Edo State. This particular point rankles. Why does Obaseki need another four years to achieve this? What did he do with the first four years of his administration?

He would also describe the MEGA Agenda as a mass movement of campaign for popular participation of the Edo people for development, yet, his few rallies have been boycotted outright or sparsely attended if not defined by violence; and if you did a headcount, attendees are only members of the party, who had come to feast on their common patrimony.
Shall we have the debate now, please?

Ugwuanyi wrote from Eleme, Rivers State

The attitude of the average electorate to a candidate can be easily measured by how they respond to his or her political campaigns and that simply explains why some politicians go the extra mile to invest hugely in ‘crowd purchase’ for their rallies.

So far so good, everything seems to be working in the favour of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the September 19 election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. This is because the feedback and the crowd that have been attending his campaigns only suggest that the people are in need of a change and that he is the change they have been waiting and praying for.

Ordinarily, quite a number of Edo State citizens hold the view that as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2016 governorship election, he defeated the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki but was rigged out.

Ize-Iyamu got the PDP ticket defeating his closest rival, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen with a wide margin of 584 to 91 in the primary held on June 20, 2016 in what indicated how acceptable he was and still is among the people.

From the outset, after the kick-off of his campaign, Chairman, State Media Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election, Mr. John Mayaki, described the August 9 APC kick-off campaign for Ize-Iyamu, which was attended by several APC governors, ministers and party leaders, as a display of the party’s unity and consensus to ensure the victory of its candidate.

“For Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the sail has set, and the winds seem aright for sure victory. Through a modern and inclusive engagement so far, he has obtained the favour and love of the people, and by the significant flag-off event yesterday (Sunday, August 9), the APC will no doubt reclaim Edo State,” Mayaki said.

He posited further that by the peaceful nature of the rally, Ize-Iyamu has obtained the favour and love of the people and that his victory in the September 19 election was reassured.

Governors Mai Mala Buni (Yobe State), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Deputy Governor, Chief Edwin Onoja (Kogi), Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, the 17-pro Oshiohmole Edo State House of Assembly lawmakers, Minister Rotimi Ameachi, Minister Timipre Sylva, and Minister Uchechukwu Oga were few of the dignitaries present at the event.

It was not just about the APC leadership alone, there were a lot of respectable persons from the traditional institutions, religious circles, business world and most notably, the huge crowd was ecstatic – they were so jubilant and they participated effectively in the programme of event in what showed that the people had taken possession of the APC candidate’s ambition as theirs. It is now a movement.

The APC was particularly elated that the kick-off recorded remarkable success at the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, where, after he fulfilled the necessary traditional rites of obeisance, Ize-Iyamu got the royal blessings, which Governor Godwin Obaseki, did not receive during his turn, which turned violent.

Identifying some of the “necessary ingredients” needed for such important event, Miyaki stated that Obaseki missed it due to the “usual sloppiness and disorganisation that rendered his administration impotent and a complete failure.”

Later, on Wednesday, at Etsako West and Etsako Central local government areas, the APC campaigned at Ekperi and Auchi and as seen at the kick-off, witnessed large crowds, who vehemently affirmed their support for Ize-Iyamu’s bid to become the next governor of Edo State.

The APC candidate also used the opportunity to promise to empower women in the state. He was particular about traders working in the informal sector. He said he would assist them with microcredit schemes to enable them grow and revive some businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 restrictions.

Ize-Iyamu told the ecstatic crowd that if voted into office, he would be different from the “non-performing” administration of Governor Obaseki and assured the people that his well-thought-out plan and documented manifesto tagged the SIMPLE agenda, contains realistic policy programmes and plans to move the state forward.

He also vowed that he would find a lasting solution to the security and flood challenges of the state, with emphasis on both councils, and equally create an enabling environment that would attract investments and provide job opportunities for the youths.

Former APC National Chairman and former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who spoke in Ekperi and Auchi, criticised Governor Obaseki for not continuing the construction of a link road between Ekperi and Anegbette, which he started. He said the governor betrayed the trust of the people and abused the powers of his office in pursuit of selfish goals.

“The APC will restore good governance and not use propaganda to deceive the people,” Oshiomhole assured the people.

The story was the same at Esan land, Edo Central Senatorial District, where thousands of residents stormed the venues of the campaign in support of Ize-Iyamu.

It was a very impressive outing for the APC candidate at Igueben, Ubiaja and Uromi, the administrative headquarters of Igueben, Esan South-east, and Esan North-east local governments. He told the crowd that his SIMPLE Agenda would attract investments and development into Edo Central senatorial district.

Ize-Iyamu again received royal blessing at Igueben from the traditional rulers of Edo Central, who gathered at the palace of the Onojie of the Igueben Kingdom, HRH Ehizojie Eiluojerio I.

He harped on his plan to partner the traditional institutions in addressing insecurity and non-aligning policies between the government and the citizenry. He also promised that he would promote cultural values and tradition that are beneficial to the state and the people.

He told the multitude that were at his campaign in Ubiaja that he would continue Oshiomhole’s development programmes that were abandoned by Governor Obaseki in the areas of road construction, schools, health centres and others, while at Uromi, the APC governorship candidate inaugurated a borehole donated by a community leader in Ward 8, Efandion, Professor Steve Iyayi.

Ize-Iyamu gave the message of hope to the people. He said his government would protect and secure their farmlands, invest in tools that would aid productivity and market their produce to foreign buyers. He also assured the people that he would tackle erosion and lack of basic amenities.

Curiously, as though a man, who has secured the Grace of God upon his life, Ize-Iyamu is getting the support of the people of Edo State. His campaign, which is now a movement, is attracting genuinely enthusiastic voters and a reflection of how the outcome of the election will look like.  The die is cast.

Fagbohun works and lives in Lagos

In his quest to get a second term, Governor Godwin Obaseki has made some new friends in his new party, the Peoples Democratic Party. Among them is Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers State. For a name associated with avoidable controversies, pundits fear he could employ his cantankerous nature into the Edo State governorship election on September 19.

The governorship election in Edo State is just about four weeks away but as each day passes most of the stakeholders in the election are dead scared – they are worried that the process would be marred by violence – it is more like the state is heading for a war than going into an exercise to elect a leader.

Judging from the drumbeats of war coming from the state and the persistent threat by Governor Godwin Obaseki to unleash violence, if necessary, it is easy to agree with those already on red alert, but there are other factors on the ground that point to possibility of violence.

One main issue that the people of the state must be wary of is the involvement of Wike in the Edo election campaigns. Though a strong PDP chieftain, his new job as the chairman of the party’s National Campaign Council for Edo 2020 election has put the task of trying to win the election on his lap and with palpable desperation.

Anyone familiar with the Rivers State election, particularly the 2015 election would recall that Governor Wike only knows one language and that is politics of extreme violence. In his state back then, he freely used inducement and politicization of anti-social groups to undermine the integrity of the election.

Residents of Obio/Akpor, Khana; Gokana; Degema (Bakana); Akuku-Toru (Abomena); Asari-Toru; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni; Emohua; Port Harcourt; Omuma; Ahoada East and several other parts of the state touched by violence will not forget their experiences in a hurry.

Deploying the federal might, which was maximally at his disposal it birthed an era for unprecedented political thuggery, assassinations, abductions/kidnappings, destruction of property, clashes during rallies, intimidation of perceived opponents, ballot buying, ballot snatching and dubious claims. It might not have been his direct instruction, but his body language instigated.

Those familiar with Governor Wike’s antics will surely be wary that he is already cooking up a winning strategy that might entail violence as seen in his state, where he recently paid N450 million as compensation to victims of electoral violence.

While it is obvious that the biggest challenge ahead of the election is providing security so that the electorate can make their choices without fear or Favour, he had alleged that the APC plans to use security agencies to rig the September 19 election in Edo, threading to scuttle it.

“It is now apparent there is no fight against corruption in Nigeria. We would scuttle the plan of the APC to use security agencies to rig the September 19 election in Edo State. The APC is confident about winning, because they want to rig,” Wike tweeted.

He further claimed that the PDP had gathered enough intelligence about “the unholy plan” and would scuttle it at the appropriate time.

Assuming without agreeing that he was right, if truly the APC has sinister motives to engage the use of the security agencies for election purposes, how does Governor Wike intend to scuttle that? He probably hopes to equip hoodlums under the guise of security agents to wreak havoc during the election and blame it on the APC as he did in his state.

Just as his godson, Obaseki, who recently stated that, “If they want violence, we will show them violence”, Wike said, adding, “I Do not fear anybody; you only die once.”

In yet another statement, he stated that, “We consider the comment by INEC to cancel or suspend the election, because of violence as succumbing to the antics of the APC.

“All they want is violence, because they cannot win the election. If the election is suspended, the implication is that Obaseki will serve out his tenure without an election in November,” he threatened.

The violence poise of Obaseki and Wike should get all well-meaning Nigerians worried, because they are both openly threatening violence and alleging that it was the opposition that plans violence. Then, when the electoral umpire said it would either suspend or cancel the election if there was violence, they started crying foul!

What would they have the INEC do? Already Wike has assured the people that he was prepared to battle with the security agencies, and so, if he does that, shouldn’t INEC cancel the election?

There is no better interpretation to Obaseki’s statement that “We will show them that we are in government. And I am governor; Philip (Shaibu) is deputy. We are the only two people, who have immunity in this state today. And I am saying it in a very clear warning,” that he has a sinister motive and is certain that the law could not catch up with him while he is still enjoying his protection from legal actions as a sitting governor.

Looking at INEC’s position as expounded by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the threat to suspend the election or cancel it was borne out of concern about the escalating levels of violent actions and incendiary statements by political parties, candidates and their supporters.

The electoral body fears that the activities of the political actors are capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order and such situation could easily be evaluated by the media and the general public, so one will wonder why that is also unacceptable to the PDP arrowheads.

The commission is sensing possibility for violence considering that parties are destroying opponents’ campaign materials such as billboards, violent campaigns and use of offensive language.

The Chairman, Edo State Media Campaign Council of the APC governorship election, Mr. John Mayaki, said Wike’s allegations were baseless, saying Wike, like Obaseki, should rather address the allegation of violation of human rights against them.

“Let him (Wike) provide proof for anything he said. He cannot. How does the party that is not in power plan to oust the police in Edo State? He meant to accuse us but ended up insulting the Nigeria Police Force. I think they need to address the disrespectful and sickening way he spoke about them.

This is not the first time that the governor has demonstrated a pedestrian restrain in his words. The inane speculation cannot hold water, as we stand to gain no further advantage should Mr. Obaseki leave office.”

As things stand today in Edo, the main challenge before INEC in organising Edo election is to improve security arrangements and that can best be done by identifying and sanctioning politicians and groups using inflammatory statements, inciting violence or plotting to perpetrate it, ensuring order at campaign rallies, strengthening inter-agency cooperation, and protecting polling centres in a non-partisan and non-threatening manner.

Leading politicians at the state and local levels must, therefore honour commitments, already made to the campaigns and pursue any grievances peacefully and lawfully. It is only shameful that Obaseki claimed to have left APC, because of godfathers only to end up with god-demons. He deserves everyone’s pity. Honestly!

Williams-Fashoro lives in Wuse II, Abuja, nation’s capital

By his actions, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State set up a war against his perceived enemies and yet, continues to cry foul the loudest. Since the supremacy battle between him and his predecessor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, there had been series of assumptions, presumptions and conclusions, most of which were not even verifiable.

One very common belief is that Oshiohmole wanted to play the godfather role and apparently understanding the negative implications of such portrayal, Governor Obaseki played to the gallery, alleging that the friction between him and his benefactor was because he denied him the opportunity becoming a godfather. He mentioned it again during his campaign in Etsako.

In one of his press statements released by his special adviser on media and communication strategy, Crusoe Osagie, the governor categorically said: “In 2016 when Oshiomhole nominated and supported Obaseki, his hidden motive was to use Governor Obaseki, whom he thought would be a pawn in his game to defraud Edo people and enthrone himself as the ultimate godfather of Edo politics at the expense of the will and wishes of Edo people,” he said.

According to him, “However, Obaseki’s refusal to mortgage the interest of the majority of Edo people for the satisfaction of Oshiomhole and his handful of greedy followers is the cause of Oshiomhole’s bitterness, which has led him to bury himself in pursuit of an innocent governor, who is trying to do the right thing for his people.”

Not only has Oshiohmole repeatedly denied the insinuation, reliable sources close to the duo do not agree with Obaseki. For those who understood how it all started, the governor does not understand the game of politics, lacks the skills of give and take and does not listen to good advices, irrespective of where it is coming from.

The horse-trading, give-and-take and promises that gave birth to his emergence as a governor were contracted by those who backed his first term in office but after attaining the reins of power, it was easy for the governor to dump all those, who shelved their ambitions for his and worked for his success at the election.

As soon as he began governance, he quickly commenced a well-planned war against the political class, specifically against Oshiohmole and his loyalists while at the same time, claimed he was a technocrat and does not have room for politicking.

Obaseki, in his bid to take total control of the system and the political structure, started out by engaging in a fierce underneath battle over who produced candidates into the state House of Assembly.

Recall that the first primary election organised by the national body of the APC was cancelled and a new one ordered.

He did not eventually get as many seats as he wanted among the 24 members-elect in the assembly. Some 19 members-elect were loyal to Oshiomhole, while he had only six and among them Oshiomole wanted Victor Edoro as Speaker, but Obaseki preferred Frank Okiye, and in an aggressive manner, perfected the plan to not inaugurate 14 lawmakers loyal to Oshiohmole. Presently, 17 lawmakers have been shut out of the 24-member house.
Though Oshiohmole might be the reason politicians are protesting the ill treatment meted to them by Obaseki, the governor surely has a lot of other people to contend with for his abrasive nature in the political terrain.

Not only did he ban the political class from the Osadebe Government House, when he came into power, in a calculated move, he got rid of Oshiohmole’s supporters from the political system. The former Youth Leaders and an ally of Oshiohmole, Osakpamwan Eriyo was remanded in prison for about 12 weeks, and Tony Kabaka, a youth leader in the state was relieved of his business as a revenue collector for the state and his hotel maliciously demolished.
Osakpamwan was also a revenue collector and the state chairman, Road Transport Employee Association of Nigerian (RTEAN). He lost the two positions on the altar of Governor Obaseki’s quest for power and political supremacy.

There is nearly an endless list of persons grumbling over the governor’s inconsiderate manner of misusing powers and more than Oshiohmole, a lot of them are quietly waiting to express their disapproval of his leadership during the September 19 polls.
Buttressing the view that Obaseki has been the aggressor, revered Edo businessman and philanthropist, Captain Hosa Okunbo, in his letter titled: “An Open Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Good People of Edo State: Please, Urge Governor Godwin Obaseki to Leave Me Alone,” did not only recall how he has been a victim of unprovoked attacks by the governor and his men, he also noted that efforts by him to get the governor to toe the path of peace was arrogantly rebuffed.

Talking about how he intervened between Obaseki and Oshiomhole, Okunbo wrote: “In the course of time, I heard he started having issues with former Governor, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole and, I was quite worried and vehemently pleaded with him to settle whatever the issues were and embrace the path of peace in the interest of the good people of Edo State.

“As a stakeholder in the state, I advised on the need to allow wisdom drive his decision-making processes. I emphasised the critical position of leadership he occupies. I further espoused the virtues of patience and sacrifice in public service as I considered these as sine qua non to achieving one’s vision.

“Following a series of complaints of abandonment by his friends and associates from the political class, who knew my relationship with the Governor, I recommended to the Governor to bifurcate between politics and Governance.

“I recommended the need to appoint a trusted and experienced politician to bridge the gap and manage his relationship with the political wing of his administration so as to avoid distraction as he faces the onerous task of steering the business of moving the State towards economic and developmental prosperity.

“He, however, rejected my proposal and insisted politicians were rogues and would not patronize them or see them in Government House. Governor Obaseki told me without mincing words. He emphasised he would not be moved an inch about their responses or feelings on this particular issue, reiterating he did not need their support either. He told me clearly that he was not interested in pursuing any SECOND TERM agenda.”

Lamenting his personal torturous experiences when the governor attacked him, he said if he could suffer “all this injustice for no just cause, so you can imagine how many innocent citizens of Edo State that Godwin Obaseki and his agents would have been standing on their necks that can’t breathe.”

It was not only Captain Hosa, who attempted to lure the governor to embrace peace, quite a number of other well-meaning Edo citizens made efforts but it was soon clear that Governor Obaseki meant to fight to the finish. He told everybody close to him that it would be fight to finish between him and Oshiohmole.

Obaseki only showed that he is not a good student of history. Just about eight years ago, similar scenario played out in Lagos. Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is a technocrat. If left by himself, he would not have much to do with the politician, but after a little friction with the political class he came to realise their importance in the scheme of things and played party politics. That was what earned him a second term, Governor Obaseki’s undoing in Edo State is that while he claimed to be a technocrat, he is playing deeply into the political terrain and trying to edge out all the political forces that facilitated his emergence nearly four years ago. If he succeeds at doing that, he would actually become ‘the godfather’ himself.

Though no one knows for certain where the pendulum would eventually swing, however, away from the allegation that his agenda is to be a godfather, Oshiomhole has maintained that he is on mission to ensure Obaseki’s defeat in the September 19 governorship election, because he made a wrong choice in 2016.

He has been apologetic to the people of the state for supporting him to emerge as the governor in 2016 saying, “I have made a mistake by supporting a man, who has no vision for my people. So, I want to correct my mistakes by making sure a servant of God, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is elected as governor and kick the snake out of the government house.

“From now till September 19, I am here in Edo State, because a political lion that I am, I am not scared of anything. Now the snake that enters our family home, God has driven the snake to where he belongs.

“I have come home to join you and start the process of reclaiming the house back to the family of APC. So, now I have only one mission and I know it is our common mission: to bring Edo back to the part of sustainable development,” he said.
But the governor insists that the former APC national chairman’s plan was to use him to defraud the people of the state. However, he has not been specific about any issue of such nature.

Though the Oba of Benin, the Ewuare N’Ogidgan II, recently stated that the palace does not meddle in partisan politics and that he has no preference among the candidates, reliable sources within the governor’s fold have hinted that the governor does not really feel he enjoys any support whatsoever of the traditional institution, going into the election.

According to inside sources, “Governor Obaseki’s adamant nature and refusal to give peace a chance won him many enemies and he himself knows it. He fears he might not be having the support of the kingdom, because many of those he attacked had reported him to the kingdom.”

Agbabiaka wrote from Osogbo, Osun State

History has a cynical way of repeating itself. A few months to the 2018 governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, it had become crystal-clear to former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that the party was not keen on returning him for a second term.
The party was unequivocal in its stance that Ambode had towed the path of dishonour by abandoning an otherwise flourishing and effective Lagos developmental blueprint but running a one-man show in government.

Indeed, at the time, Lagos had virtually retrogressed to its pre-1999 days, when humans jostled – breath to breath – with mountainous heaps of refuse for space on the streets; traffic was chaotic and virtually all the roads in the state had become deplorable. Crime and insecurity were pervasive and the people lived in constant fear.

Ambode had lost his marbles and Lagos was no longer working but he was adamant on a second term. Yet, a negligible section of the populace was still sympathetic to him. They believed, rather that, he was being unfairly treated by his godfathers, and party leaders, until that Sunday afternoon in late September 2018.

He had called a press conference to speak on the forthcoming primary election and other topical issues in the state. The media had congregated on the lawn of the Governor’s Office, Alausa – a typical American tradition. Without much formality, Ambode burrowed into his prepared speech and it read smoothly until he segued into spilling dirt about his major contender, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He told a bewildered populace on a live television that Sanwo-Olu did not have the mental capacity to run Lagos, because he previously underwent treatment for mental health challenges and challenged curious residents to proceed to Gbagada General Hospital to obtain the records by themselves.
Until he decided to contest for the governorship seat, Sanwo-Olu was an appointee of Ambode as General Manager of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation.

Ambode also stated that Sanwo-Olu had a criminal case in the United States of America for spending counterfeit notes in an American club. If Lagosians were shocked, Ambode’s aides, who were privy to the original script, were mortified. That wilful resort to personal attacks and character assassination was not part of the script, some of them confided in close associates. His fate was sealed therefrom.

Even after leaving office, Lagosians never forgave him. For a governor, who also started pretty well, succeeding the iconic Babatunde Raji Fashola, Ambode decided to go rogue, dismantling structures and processes laid by his predecessors to the detriment of the people of Lagos State. It is so bad now that his name has become a euphemism for regressive politics.

Alas, it is this same pathway to political and electoral hara-kiri that Obaseki has chosen to tow, warts and all, forgetting that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it as the guinea pigs of history.

Ordinarily, by now, he should be on the home run, with his catalogue of achievements enough to earn him a second term rather, his sordid stewardship continues to haunt him and dog his electioneering.

More perplexing is that his Make Edo Great Again MEGA slogan is an appropriation, showing lack of ingenuity and perspicacity, of American President, Donald Trump’s campaign slogan four years ago. Obaseki had four years to make Edo greater but he frittered the opportunity away on the altar of paranoia and power-drunkenness, electing to fight rather than work with party leaders and state stakeholders.

Whilst he hasn’t publicly described his opponent in the September 19th governorship election in unsavoury terms, his proxies are out in full force with their puerile and purblind propaganda.

Days back, a news report surfaced on social media claiming that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was HIV positive.

A phantom test result to that effect also made the rounds while one Dr. Lizzy Oghenerume, purportedly an official of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where Ize-Iyamu’s wife, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, is a Consultant Orthodontist, has claimed that she had been diverting anti-retroviral drugs “meant for poor people who have the disease in the state to her husband to keep him alive, so it is no news that the APC candidate has the disease.”

The Ize-Iyamus have graciously ignored the so-called Oghenerume and her repellent and reprehensible tales in the understanding that if she truly existed, she was just a pawn in the hands of Obaseki and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, acolytes.

These are, indeed, desperate times for Obaseki, who is staring defeat in the face and like a drowning man, is clutching at everything in sight to stay afloat. Unfortunately, for him, and his cheerleaders, this is a lost cause. Edo State indigenes have their minds made up on a change of government and Pastor Ize-Iyamu ticks all the boxes in what they desire in a candidate.

So, no matter how much mud is splattered the APC candidate’s way, the people can decipher the truth. Even Obaseki’s immediate family members know the truth; they have seen the light and have unanimously declared that it is either Pastor Ize-Iyamu or nobody.

So, Obaseki deserves pity. The ringing endorsement of his opponent by his relatives further underscores this. At Ize-Iyamu’s private residence in Benin City recently, some of the governor’s relatives led by his first cousin, Victor Obaseki, admitted that although the governor was their kin, he would not get the support of the family.

Victor stated: “I am here today in the company of my cousins to support Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, the executive governor, is our cousin. Generally, the Obasekis have their way of doing things. We are a different branch of faith. We are supporting our brother, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, with unalloyed support fully for him. I have supported him before, and I would continue to support him. We would do all our campaigns for him without let or hindrance, fully from the bottom of our hearts.”

Following suit was the Deputy Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly and member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Hon. Yekini Idiaye alongside four other members of the Assembly, who pledged their support to Pastor Ize-Iyamu, bringing the number of elected members, who have done likewise in the Edo Assembly to 17.

Barely 48hours after declaring his support, Idiaye was impeached by the Assembly, a sad testament of Obaseki’s intolerance and imprudence that have blighted his administration and which would ultimately cost him the election. No doubt, the September 19 election is already lost and won. Congratulations to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu!

– Thomas, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Benin City, Edo State