The advantages of fighting the enemy of the people are legion. Your sins are forgiven you, go and sin no more. Good or bad, you are celebrated and idolized. You are loved and respected. And you are a man of the people. But I say no, let the works of your hands speak for you and define your electability. Emphasis should be on your performance index and not the character or antecedent verification certificate of the one who the society hates to love. And that is the thesis of this essay.
As a commentator and, of course, a Lawyer, what would I have written in the past one year if President Buhari had stealthily mandated the Clerks of the National Assembly to invite, inaugurate, and sworn in about 45% of the incoming members of the National Assembly who have pledged their loyalty to him? Again, what would I have done if the President mobilizes the national security networks at his disposal to force the so-called rebel and unfriendly 55% legislators into exile?
As a commentator and, of course, a Lawyer, what would I have written in the past one year if President Buhari had stealthily mandated the Clerks of the National Assembly to invite, inaugurate, and sworn in about 45% of the incoming members of the National Assembly who have pledged their loyalty to him? Again, what would I have done if the President mobilizes the national security networks at his disposal to force the so-called rebel and unfriendly 55% legislators into exile?
Like Ben Johnson, I will dive into the archives to unearth damaging information about him; telling Nigerians how heartless, dictatorial, and power-drunk his people are. I will paint him with ignominy, impugn his integrity, discredit him, and call upon the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and all the Barrister Femi Falanas and Olisa Agbakobas of our legal system to take up the challenge and restore our constitutional democracy to order.
Yes, I will go about searching for the appropriate semantics in the dictionary and fancy legal expressions, cases, and precedents on Google to make my argument persuasive. And that's what every one of us, the self-anointed and self-righteous public affairs commentators would have done.
Today, Governor Obaseki of Edo State is still standing, unruffled, and unhinged celebrating his legislative coup at the Edo State House of Assembly about a year ago. Why not? Ask no further. His major opponent, in spite of the great works he did for Benin City and the entire Edo State during his eight years in power, has succeeded in making himself the enemy of the people of Edo State. His name is Comrade Adam Oshiomhole. And he has bitten more than he can chew or swallow.
- That the Comrade is power-drunk, greedy, and dictatorial is not in doubt.
- That the Specialist Hospital in Benin City, a colossal edifice that he invited President Buhari to come and declare open towards the end of his second term as Governor of Edo State has become of spurious value and a colossal failure is not in doubt.
- That the Pilgrim Baptist Grammar School (PBGS) saga, isolated as it might be in national affairs, will remain a devastating albatross around his neck is not in doubt.
- That he underfunded my alma matter (Bendel State University) and went ahead to build a brand new university in his village with state funds is not in doubt.
- That he marginalized the Esan/Ishan folks, when it was apparent that it was our turn to produce his successor is not in doubt.
- That he mangled the last Edo State Gubernatorial race to favor his candidate is not in doubt.
Again, can we possibly apply those Adam's failings in benchmarking Governor Obaseki's electability for a second term in the place of his performance and accomplishments in office in the past four years? I DON'T THINK SO.
Indeed, the political advantage of feuding with a smart guy who outsmarts himself cannot be quantified. Be that as it may, the smart guy is not on the ballot. Let the performance and accomplishments of Governor Obaseki speak for him and not the idiosyncrasies of Comrade Adam Oshiomhole. Adam is not running, Godwin is.
I know my stand will not go down well with a lot of people or garner encouraging tractions, and that's cool. I did not take the stand because I love one of them more than the other or because I hate one of them more. Given the fact that Mr. Godwin Obaseki is likely going to be a candidate, it is time to place his accomplishment as a Governor on a full blast. That should be his goal, not discrediting the former Governor. Of what use is setting up a Judicial Inquiry if you cannot take action on the report?
In light of the enormity of the discrediting of Pastor Ize Iyamu, courtesy of Adam oshiomhole over the years, I think it would be self-indicting on the part of the Comrade to turn around and impose the same "never do well and never to be trusted candidate" on the ballot in place of Governor Obaseki.
Finally, as Comrade Adam Oshiomhole would rightly say, the time for godfatherism in Edo State politics is over. I espouse that credo and I hope the Comrade live up to his memorable leadership selection philosophy and step aside while the APC members in Edo State pick the Gubernatorial candidate of their choice. I beg to conclude.
To be continued.
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