Much as I would want to applaud Governor Obaseki for standing up to former Governor Adam Oshiomhole in the face of impunity and intent to govern Edo State by proxy, I want to point out that the inauguration that culminates in the swearing-in of only nine out of the twenty-four elected members of the Edo State House of Assembly was an unmistakable aberration in its entirety. Illegality remains illegality, no matter the antecedents of the major character or the abnormalities that characterized the Edo State House of Assembly under his administration.
Governor Obaseki's integrity is very much intact. He is respected across the board and within the leadership of the two major political parties. He is an epitome of virtues. Above all, he is believable, because he tells credible stories. Therefore, he should let justice prevail and let the people of Edo State fight his fight. If he thinks he cannot issue a new Proclamation Letter, he should call on the Clerk of the House to initiate a new invitation process involving all the elected members, including the "Abuja Sourjouners," and conduct a fresh inauguration.
Where it gets tricky, however, is that the Legislators who are allegedly sympathetic to the former Governor are in the majority. Meaning, they have the votes to impeach the new Speaker and elect their preferred candidate. And that is a disturbing scenario that Governor Obaseki wouldn't welcome. His resentment notwithstanding, the Legislators have inherent rights to conduct their legislative affairs and responsibilities their own way and vote to elect the Speaker and officials of the House, without interference from the Executive arm. That process is strengthened by the due observance of the principles of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.
Granted, the legislative process was grossly debased and perverted under Governor Oshiomhole, that does not ascribe legitimacy to the purported inauguration that took place about a month ago at the Edo State House of Assembly. Governor Obaseki is a fine gentleman; he should do the right thing and allow the new House to be reconvened.
To the members of the Edo State House of Assembly, if you want to destroy your political career by playing stooges to appease the former Governor, na your toro be dat. Comrade Adam Oshiomhole has nothing to lose. He has been battered and bruised in recent times, and his credibility is now on a slippery slope in Edo State. He is approaching the pinnacle of his public service career and you gentlemen have only just begun climbing the ladder. The most intelligible cards to play right now is to sharpen your "honorable" credentials and legislative acumen, without being intransigent and constituting obstruction in the overall governance of the state, or subservient to outside forces and eroding your credibility.
You are elected to legislate for the wellbeing of Edo State citizens, and at the same time, to work with the Governor for the development of the state. Having your way and electing the Speaker and officials of the House is not the end of the world; you frustrate the Governor, you frustrate every one of us. And it won't be that funny at all. Because Governor Obaseki has the bulling pulpit and he is believable. He will destroy every one of you politically if you try a repeat of the discredited culture of quid pro quo (cash for hand, and a vote for a project) that were the hallmarks of the immediate Legislature.
The majority of you are well-learned and well-traveled. If that is true, why not try and adopt at home the leadership or legislative model that you've observed or read about that are in place or emerging in those advanced countries you've been to? If not now, when? The earlier the case is settled out of court the better for you and the state. Unless, of course, you want to bring shame and dishonor to Edo State, which, of course, the indigenes will resist by any means necessary.
Finally, let's get to work, guys. We have too much on the plate right now requiring creative touch, visionary approach and a concerted effort. In addition to the new deals that the State Governor structured in joint-partnership with some foreign entities, some of our abandoned state companies, like Edo Brewery, the Okpela cement factory, the Flour Mill at Ewu, the Live Stocks farm, etc. should be revived. I know the Flour Mill and the Cement factory have been sold, but we can do a buyback and put Edo State citizens back to work. You cannot accomplish these in exile. Please, let peace reign in Edo State.
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