Before the historic verdict by the court of Appeal that knocked out the infant terrible comrade Adams Oshiomole from his Olympian heights as the national chairman of the APC, I watched a certain Chris Okaegben and one Washington Osifo pour invectives on the distinguished personality of His Excellency Godwin Obaseki. Oshiomole himself before his dismissal by the courts had described the Edo State governor as “good riddance to bad rubbish”! That’s Comrade Adams Oshiomole for you: the brash, unrepentant, proud and corrupt former labor leader!
Immediately the verdict was pronounced, jubilant Abuja residents thronged the streets to celebrate the downfall of a confirmed tyrant whose lust for power knew no bounds. Oshiomole behaved as though he was the boss of all bosses forgetting that he has a President who is normally the overall boss of bosses. Whereas President Buhari and fellow APC political leaders showed humility and candor, Oshiomole was reckless, haughty, and inexplicably destructive.
He held everyone by the throat and tried to stifle smooth democracy. Many people watched with trepidation as this diminutive and combative former trade union leader manipulated the constitution and legal processes to arm twist perceived opponents. As APC chairman, he was unable to manage internal affairs and turned otherwise simple matters into national tragedy; within the two years he occupied the seat, he was so troublesome that that the APC lost several States during elections and were dragged to court in nearly all the States of the Federation.
Whereas, his mates who occupied prestigious position as he did used the opportunity to create employment, fix people in vacant jobs and generally looked after the welfare of the needy, Oshiomole used his dreadfully to fight his own State governor to a standstill, and in the process holding every law abiding Nigerian to ransom. Not done yet, Oshiomole proceeded to choke the political atmosphere with such backward policies never seen before. He was never deterred with the many fraudulent cases and petitions hanging on his neck.
That’s how bad he was and no wonder like a dog who will not hear his masters whistle, he refused all entreaties for peace with his bitter enemy, Obaseki. Today, he is about to be thrashed into the dustbin of history. That’s how bad unforgiveness can lead anyone. As for the fourteen so called legislators who refused to turn a new leaf waiting for their leader Oshiomole to come reinstate them, they lack wisdom and knowledge. Edo State is bigger than all of them put together—and will surely outlive their menace.
