It was raining heavily on this beautiful day. I had just returned home from work, tired from the events that happened earlier. My wife noticed the frown in my face and asked me what the matter was. Dejected, I carefully lowered myself into the sofa and managed to pull off my shoes. Suddenly, I found the usual ambience of my home boring, “What’s the matter my wife asked again?” this time, worried. In a barely audible voice, I blurted out: “It is this Obaseki problem”. “What about him?” she asked. I replied that Oshiomole had disqualified him from contesting the APC primary. “What?” My wife screamed; “that’s too bad,” she said, asking whether there was no one to advise him against the move. Just then, AIT came up with their “breaking news” and there was Oshiomole again being asked to explain what he felt about Obaseki’s disqualification—his own State governor and a fellow member of the APC—his own party. He paused for a while and smiled wolfishly; his eyes glittered like wet stones and in a chilling voice, he declared “good riddance to bad rubbish!” Suddenly blood rushed to my brains and I tried as much not to become dizzy. Oshiomole made that statement in justification of personal triumph—not caring for the millions of Edo people behind Obaseki. Like a flash, my mind raced back to that black day in September 2018, when Lagos State was set to hold their now infamous primary. The then incumbent governor was caught in this same self-contrived web of intrigues and nauseating practice. The nation was gripped by tension and suspense; we were watching –live—as that dramatic conspiracy unfolded; a constitutionally elected governor was being undermined by rebellious individuals with strong clout in the party—the same now spearheading this Obaseki debacle. The polished governor was eventually edged out via undemocratic means and their preferred candidate installed. Ironically, he was described as not being a good party man—but an excellent performer—whatever that means. Nigerians howled, but they were helpless. Democracy was being suppressed in favour of powerful individuals. Without being a beneficiary of anything, I struggled for days to keep my blood pressure under control. It was painful seeing an old college colleague being harassed by despots. Thinking that, that was the end of such repressive practice, it was then with consternation when the Obaseki drama began to unfold before my very eyes. I have never met him before, save for the fact that he is my State governor. But I hate injustice and oppression. They said Obaseki had stepped on the toes of two powerful elements in the APC contraption and as such must be dealt with. I couldn’t understand it; was this no longer the same APC that sold the change mantra to Nigerians? When it is convenient for them, they work with the NWC of their party; when not, they shove the body aside. Cunny people. They talk brashly as if they own the party and the people don’t matter. To them, the idea of suppression, confrontation, and partisan politics is child’s play. Then despite pleas, Obaseki was not spared; he was hit with the big hammer and described as “bad rubbish”! This was a bad omen for the nation—a complete deviation from known democratic practice and resort to crude practice. Enraged, I said somehow these people must be brought to book. Unlike the Lagos sham primaries, that caught us by surprise, this one was fresh—and we saw it coming. I was so distraught that sleep escaped my eyes. The masterminds of the conspiracy that ousted Obaseki from the APC went ahead to be boastful, beating their chest that they have finished him. Although saddened by the development, I was to be more disappointed when beneficiaries of the Obaseki administration began to jump ship; the reason they gave was spurious, unsatisfactory and nebulous. It was incredible that Oshiomole would cause so much havoc that until his waterloo, there was none to curtail him—except Chief Dan Orbih who confronted and insulted him at every pass. Edo people trembled with fear; they shivered in their various closets as Oshiomole openly told barren lies, sold immorality and treachery; it was disgusting watching him. Whenever he comes up on the Television, I turn it off. That’s is the same man some people who had the advantage of working in government would resign their appointment and take sides with him. My mother called me several times to warn me not to venture into the streets because Oshiomole was recruiting thugs prompting me to ask the question: “What exactly is the APC up to?” This certainly cannot be a political party; Nigeria would no sooner be engulfed in turmoil if this trend is allowed to continue. Oshiomole spat fire; he couldn’t control himself; he became fiery, the same with his supporters who said Obaseki was unfit to be a governor. Who was fit then? They said the Benin based pastor was, and infact, he is more of a grassroots politician! I do not know whether the “kpastor” later became an “Alhaji” as alleged, but what caught my attention was their desperation. In 2016, the “kpastor” was described as “governor-in-waiting” although he lost that election. Now, it is anyone’s guess what he may be called, should we say the “governor that never was? Nevertheless, if he cannot be governor of Edo State at least he can be governor of his own household! Well, not to lose touch of the story. From the moment Obaseki joined the PDP, I began to write about the ills of the Oshiomole type of politics. I took on those who were decamping and wondered what they were looking for. I branded them as selfish because they were only after their personal interest—not that of the State. Everyone that attacked Obaseki, I responded. I w3ent ahead to write a book titled: Obaseki: The Accomplished Administrator after studying him for six months! Memories of the injustice meted to the former governor in Lagos would not go away; I was so incensed that I felt this rebellious attitude must be tackled once and for all. We can’t be talking about election malpractice, vote-buying, rigging, manipulation or vote snatching at this time in the life of this country. Neither do we want violence, blood-shedding. For the fact that the every day killing, kidnapping, banditry does not seem to make an impression on these people—so-called leaders—made me angrier. How do you convince the Edo State people that the fresh set of people you were bringing were better than the ones you have tested? It doesn’t make sense. There was nothing they were coming to offer other than creating a new set of millionaires, proxies, and hangers-on. After all, we read of how they were already sharing political positions—greedy people who had not won anything were sharing positions meant for the people! I now remembered the Benin Specialist Hospital, cannibalized, emptied and destroyed by the Oshiomole administration despite the millions of dollars borrowed to fix it. Deceptive politics! I remembered the Benin Textile Mill road abandoned to fate, the Aduwawa section of the city that has been left to rot, not to mention the looting of the Edoline and Edocity transport services! In case you don’t know, virtually all the buses allegedly bought by the Oshiomole regime for the masses are all grounded—they were bought second hand! Then, the overlord in Lagos who brand his own former godson as “not a good party man”, emerged to dismiss Obaseki as a “dictator”, urging Edo people not to vote for him. Probably because he is regarded as a colossus, a political juggernaut and the most powerful politician in the land, then his voice was law! Yet he wasn’t the chairman of the APC campaign machinery; he wasn’t the acting national chairman of the party, nor the president of Nigeria! So how come he had the temerity to issue such despicable command? This was no longer democracy; this was autocracy at best. Don’t forget his own wife is now in her third stint as a senator and may possibly be drafted to be the next governor of Lagos State! Who cares for Lagos State supporters? But what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. We are now wiser. In those days the common refrain was “a patient dog eats the fattest bone”. But today, we know better: there is no bone for a patient dog; infact the dog would be foolish to wait because other greedier people would eat it. Except for his good works and achievements which is visible and undeniable today, the former Lagos State governor appears to be forgotten—bad politics. Infact, investigations carried out in Alausa where he held sway, show that his matter is regrettably discussed in hushed tones because of the fear of the lion of Bourdillion. Please note that this is not the same lion and Tiger that was to be unleashed on the hapless and long cheated Benin voters. This one is very adept at carrying Bullion vans filled with cash—not the kabaka type that specialize in thuggery, election violence and ballot box snatching! Back to Obaseki, the more they insulted him, the more emboldened I felt to defend him. I realized that his abuse had nothing to do with his character but that he was so stubborn at refusing to hand over the treasury. And if you look closely, you will discover that those accusing Obaseki are not the poor type—they are only voracious. More surprising though was the fact that no one in the APC except Victor Giadom, Rotimi Amaechi, El-Rufai, was bold enough to resist the Oshiomole group. But I was glad to learn of the underground support of the majority of the APC governors for Obaseki. Mai Bunu did his own quietly though Abubakar Malami played into their hands, too bad for a young and fortunate man like him. At least there was some green lining in the horizon. Secretly, they withdrew from the Oshiomole campaign and their APC candidate. Still, we were afraid because of the so-called Federal might Oshiomole planned to use. In all, Obaseki stood his ground and we, the same thing. At the height of the campaign, friends called to say we should drop our support for Obaseki; the reason they gave was that he is too “oyinboish” to help anybody; they say he is snobbish, he doesn’t regard anybody; they say if you call him, he doesn’t respond! But that didn’t deter us. We stood for justice and fought for it. We stood for posterity—how the future would judge us. Many people disregard this vital aspect of life. Thank God, nature is stepping in to address all forms of injustice. The APC must close its ranks and commence instant reconciliation if they are to make any headway in 2023, though I couldn’t care less! Now, I can breathe a sigh of relief as justice prevailed in the case of Obaseki and Phillip Shaibu, for the Edo State people—and the nation at large. Thanks to democrats like president Buhari, governor Wike, Chief Dan Orbih, Mai Bunu and the INEC.
