Oshiomhole And Tinubu: Like Ambode Like Obaseki By Ehi Ekhator

The executive governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki won the
heart of his former boss, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who fought his
battle to become the governorship candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in 2016 and subsequently, the governor.

The condition was basic, Obaseki was to surrender his authority
to Oshiomhole who remained the Leader of the state APC. The former
Labour Chairman planted individuals faithful to him in Obaseki’s
cabinet while the wake and see, as he is affectionately called
stayed quiet in an endeavour not to cross the Amadioha.

Since Obaseki became the governor, there are grievances across
the state that his style of administration is different in relation
to his predecessor; the leaders of the party are blaming him for
disregard, while the youths, particularly, the thugs Oshiomhole fed
during his administration blamed him for bringing in labourers from
Lagos State to execute projects in Edo State.

After the show that unfurled in Lagos State where the National
Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu found new confidence in a former
Lagos Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
rather than the incumbent governor, Akinwumi Ambode, it dawned on
Obaseki that he may endure a similar faith if he doesn’t begin
stripping Oshiomhole of his strong grasp in the state.

The governor quietly buckled up for the Edo State National and
State Assemblies’ primary election which was held on October 4th,
2018 to make his move. While Obaseki was saluting the victors of
the election, which were generally his followers, the APC leaders
headed by Adams Oshiomhole censured the “unapproved primaries” and
ensure it was null and void.

“The exercise conducted by unauthorised persons in collaboration
with the party’s Edo State Working Committee is hereby null and
void,” said the APC spokesperson, Yekini Nabena.

Meanwhile, in his standard tricky reaction, Obaseki asked
members of the party to overlook media report (APC headquarter
invalidation) attempting to cast slanders on the primary elections
that were pronounced serene, free and fair across the state.

Another primary was conducted and abruptly, the individuals who
won the past primaries were substituted in the list compiled by the
National Body, those directly affected, according to speculations,
were those faithful to the Obaseki’s camp.

It was a moment for Oshiomhole to show who is boss, he may be
little in size, yet he never avoids showing how dangerous he could
be. The APC National Chairman is a chess player, pernicious and a
control freak who despises confrontations directly or indirectly, a
former state spokesman for the APC, Comrade Godwin Erhahon can
vouch for that.

Obviously, members of the State House of Assembly were hauled
into the tussle, followers took diverse ways and the members who
were substituted went determined to bust some skulls in the wake of
being undermined by their leaders.

“In that primary election conducted by the APC, I won; the
returning officer announced that I won the election. Unfortunately,
the APC substituted my name with the name of the incumbent, Mr
Peter Akpatason.

“I have explored the internal mechanism of the party; I wrote to
the NWC of the APC, through the chairman, that there was the need
for them to have a rethink but I did not get any reply.

“I wrote to the Osunbor panel; I even appeared before the panel.
Unfortunately, before the panel even came up with its final
position on the matter, Form 001 and 002 had already been given to
the person who did not win the primary election.

“Haven’t done that the Osunbor panel became crippled. So, I am
here (in court) to say that we cannot do wrong things all the
times.” The Speaker, Mr Kabiru Adjoto told court in a suit no.
FHC/B/CS/118/18″

While trying to get the sheep in line, a move was made by the
cabals loyal to Oshiomhole to impeach Adjoto who rumour says is
faithful to Obaseki. The National Chairman of the party, however
battling with his situation as all the APC governors need his head,
is wrestling to maintain the demi god’s praises he had enjoyed
since he ousted those who brought him fame.

In a typical commando style, a coup was hatched and attempt to
impeach Kabiru Adjoto was conceived. Just like the Senate
President, Bukola Saraki, the Edo Speaker outflanked the plotters
and impeached his deputy, Victor Edobor who is guessed to be in the
camp of the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu who is unequivocally
progressing in the direction of ensuring Oshiomhole does not lose
his spot in the rank of control in Edo State.

“We needed to have a new deputy Speaker because of the excesses
of the impeached deputy Speaker,” The Punch newspaper quoted the
Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, as saying.

“I and 20 others members of the House remain committed to the
All Progressives Congress (APC) and cannot leave the party.

“We are even more committed to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the
re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, “ Mr Adjoto
said.

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Dan Orbih
blamed the APC for the crisis rocking the National Assembly.

“I think the problem in the Edo State House of Assembly is
actually a reflection of the general problem the APC has caused to
the larger Nigerian society. They have shown clearly that they
don’t want what it takes to run the affairs of most of the states
where they are in power.” Orbih said.

Meanwhile, Obaseki keeps fighting back in the series of
accusation levied against him by the state leaders who believed he
is stingy and uncaring.

Obaseki says he is not stingy as many perceived him to be. He
said he couldn’t give out citizens money at anyhow when he needs
the money to train teachers in the state.

“People say I am stingy but I am not. How can I spend Edo people
money anyhow when I need money to train teachers”, he said while
addressing primary school teachers at the graduation ceremony of
teachers under the Edo Best Initiative.

One of the protestations Bola Tinubu had about Akinwumi Ambode
was his style of governance which he credited to the governor’s
refusal to take everyone along. Indeed, Obaseki isn’t a long way
from a similar issue, as many had asserted. He doesn’t confide in
the political leaders who brought him to power.

For Adams Oshiomhole, the battle has just started. Will Obaseki
get around his second term ticket or will he blur into the breeze
like his partner in Lagos, Ambode?

“It is Oshiomhole that is after Adjoto now, but to play the card
of deceptiveness, Adjoto tagged as loyalists to Obaseki. There is
already a crack in Oshiomhole’s camp and Obaseki’s camp.

“The news in town is that Oshiomhole is after Obaseki,
definitely, Obaseki might not get the second term ticket, that what
happened to Ambode is going to be like a joke compared to what will
happen to Obaseki. ” A source disclosed on Tuesday. ”

One of the leaders in Edo State described Edo politics as
complex, as people prefer to sweep issues under the carpet.

“The politics of Edo State is a complex one. It is difficult to
understand what the true position is, the last primary that
occurred, you hear this candidate is Oshiomhole’s candidate and
Obaseki will say “I don’t want to hurt Oshiomhole” and in another
moment, you hear Obaseki saying “this is my candidate” against
Oshiomhole’s candidate. So, it is hard to understand what is going
on.

“If there is any politically confused entity in this country,
one of it is Edo State.” He says.

One thing is certain if the APC governors finally unseat
Oshiomhole, he’s likely to turn to the only environment he has
never lost a battle. His return might trigger and worsen the
already cold blood between him and Obaseki.

Ehi Ekhator is a UK based journalist and the
Publisher of Naija Center News