EDO POLLS: The Beginning Of The Death Of A Leviathan

By Ifeanyi Obute.

The just concluded gubernatorial election that saw the re-election of Gov. Godwin Obaseki for another four year term, marks a dramatic new turn in the history of Nigerian politics.

Prior to the polls, tension was literally sky-high, given the rhetoric from the two camps of the two major contesting political parties; APC and PDP. The pre-election violent exchanges, naturally made analysts and observers to anticipate a very rowdy session on the election day, being yesterday the 19th of September, 2020.

Questions have always been, why the tensions and nerve breaking anticipations? Why the so charged atmosphere that could be literally likened to wartimes?

The most fundamental of all the answers, lies in the political squabble between Gov. Obaseki and his immediate predecessor, Oshiomole, who seems to be his estranged political godfather.

The write up is not about the misunderstanding between Gov. Obaseki and Oshiomole, but about the FACT THAT OSHIOMOLE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED OBVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO EXERT UNDUE CONTROL ON THE GOVERNMENT OF GOV. OBASEKI, HENCE THE POLITICAL TSUNAMI THAT RESULTED TO APC LOSING EDO STATE TO PDP. The real genesis of their political disagreements is shrouded in secrecy as a result of the claims and counterclaims from the two camps, but suffice it to say that the turn of events resulted to Gov Obaseki dumping the ruling APC party that he won his first election on, for PDP, the major party that contested against him in 2016.

What is clear to all objective observers and analysts, was that the political LEVIATHAN called godfatherism, reared its ugly head up in Edo State, but Gov Obaseki was smart and strong enough to effectively cut it off!

The antics deployed, the decisions and choices made by Oshiomole, clearly exposed the insensitive and callous nature of political godfatherism. A system that clearly doesn’t bother about the needs of the masses, but for the selfish interests of very few powerful and feudal lords. Oshiomole brought in a man he once lambasted and disparaged beyond measures. For reasons not far from selfish political interests, he literally went back to his vomit, and expected Edo people to have taken him seriously. Pastor Ize Iyamo was the same man he once accused of heinous moral failings that automatically rendered his candidacy forever unfit, yet because of the rift he had with his former political son Gov. Obaseki, he didn’t see anyone to opt for, but the same man he publicly accused of outrageous moral misconducts.

The election that ended in favour of Gov. Obaseki, demonstrated the resolve of the Nigerian masses. It clearly marked a paradigm shift in the method of polictiking in Nigeria. The comfortable victory with over 80,000 vote margin, passed a clear message to the amoral politicians, that their days are numbered. The victory is a WIN for true Democracy, and a huge strategic loss for all the godfathers in other states.

Analysts and observers are busy are attributing the success to many factors, viz the input of the likes of Gov Wike of Rivers State, Buhari’s impartiality, Obaseki’s resolve etc, but the greatest commendation should go to the good and courageous people of Edo State for resolutely voting according to their consciences. Edo electorates refused to be intimidated psychologically or otherwise.

Political godfatherism is indeed a Leviathan in the Nigerian political space. The effects on the nature and quality of governance obtainable, has been very destructive. A situation whereby an elected office holder would be forced to transfer loyalty and accountability for the electorates to the few individuals that are always too imposing and thoughtless in their demands. In the case of Edo State, Gov. Obaseki fell out of lines with Oshiomole because of the latter’s spurious and excessively thoughtless demands; especially when he was the national chairman of APC party. Then, he literally wanted to be the real person in charge of Edo State Government, while Gov Obaseki would just be a rubber stamp figure in the Government House. When the meddling and impositions became too much, Obaseki has to choose between the Edo people or Oshiomole, and he made the right choice! His choice irked Oshiomole so badly that he started the political tsunami that eventually culminated in his own disgrace and defeat Saturday, 19th September, 2020. It wasn’t actually pastor Ize Iyamo that lost the most, it was Oshiomole that lost the more, and above all, the political killing of the Leviathan in the entire Nigerian political space had started in Edo State. The tactical and strategic implications of what happened in Edo State is a story that just began.

Through Gov Obaseki’s intelligent and courageous choices, coupled with the iron resolve of Edo people, a process of political salvation and sanitization in Nigeria just started. In other states, where godfatherism is still holding sway, the guilty ones would be highly agitated by now, whilst the masses of such States would be warming up to copy the courage of Edo people anytime opportunity will present itself.

I warmly congratulate the newly re-elected Gov Obaseki, and happily salute the courage of the Edo people as we continue to transverse the thorny road of political evolution in Nigeria. I commend the fantastic way INEC and the deployed Security Operatives conducted themselves as well as appreciate the concerns and efforts of the Government of United States of America via their clear MESSAGE before the election. Indeed Nigeria’s democracy is making progress.

Obute Ifeanyi is the National Secretary and SouthEast coordinator of Eyes on Democracy of Nigeria (EDON), the Nation’s foremost vanguard of true Democracy He writes from Enugu State. 08035087201, ifecojp@gmail.com

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