Matter of Fact with
Tochu Okorie
As the race for Edo government House gains traction, the feud between incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy Philip Shuaibu, both of the PDP, has deteriorated. A relationship that once blossomed to the ousting of Adams Oshiomole, then an emerging political Godfather in the state, now appears completely lost to the political scheming that usually characterize power transition.
Of concern to Nigerians and particularly the good people of Edo state are the intransigence of the governor and the imprudence of his deputy which together is capable of throwing the state into a total breakdown of law and order. Timely resolution of the imbroglio should prove more beneficial to Obaseki, Shuaibu, the PDP and by extension the peace-loving people of Edo.
It should be sufficiently and manifestly clear to both men that victory for their party might prove elusive especially given the menacing political presence of the rival APC unless they figure out their issues timeously.
Who or what political party emerges victorious in the coming elections is not of any ideological importance to anyone really since PDP and APC, the two frontrunners are basically two sides of the same coin. What is of utmost importance is the guarantee of peace before, during and after the elections. As it goes, where two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. The grass in this case are the people of Edo State primarily as well as the rest of us who will not be spared the fallout of any ugly eventuality.
However, one would have expected that the PDP would have learnt its lesson from its abysmal outing in the last general elections which is directly tangential to the multidimensional wranglings within the party ahead of those elections. Both at the national and state levels, PDP masticated its own opportunities with unresolved quarrels.
One key source of trouble for the PDP in the last elections, which still persists, was its weak and ineffectual national leadership. The crass ineptitude demonstrated by the National Working Committee of the party when it chose to sacrifice the party’s tradition of zoning on the alter of immediate individual pecuniary benefits is what has left bitter taste in their mouth. From state to state, they awarded running tickets to the highest bidders, foisted unpopular candidates on the party while ignoring local political dynamics and zoning arrangements.
While it is none of my business what happens in or to PDP in Edo 2024 governorship election, I speak only of the guarantee of peace in Edo State to which PDP clearly holds the key. It is for this reason that one must brave an unsolicited advice to the PDP. For once, the leaders, especially at the national level, should stop shaming their ancestors, shun corruption and uphold equity. Whoever the cap fits, for God’s sake, let him wear it.
While it is only the good people of Edo that must determine what is best for them, it must be said that there is no locality that does not have a repository of intelligence and character. Allowing turn-by-turn access to government house by senatorial zones does not in any way translate to sacrificing competence. On the contrary, it could be the pathway to quality leadership in the state.
It is only the locals that understand the political dynamics at paly at any given time. It becomes asinine and shameful when some hungry elements sit in Wadata House and think they can impose their “favourite” aspirant after receiving financial incentives and expect things to go well. Again, it is not my business really.
Governor Godwin Obaseki’s feud with his Deputy, going by reports, is not unconnected with the former’s insistence on maintaining equity and political balance by seeking out capable hand from the senatorial zone perceived or believed to have the next turn to governorship. Edo Central Senatorial zone, according to prevailing analysis, is the zone that should produce Obaseki’s successor.
That being the case, one wonders why Shuaibu is setting himself up for avoidable disgrace.
Of course, we know that when a little bird dances in the middle of the road it must be that it has its drummers somewhere in the bush. Those sponsoring Comrade Shuaibu into this unholy war must realize that they are merely trying to gamble away the chances of PDP. Perhaps this is why speculations are now gaining momentum about Shuaibu being sponsored by the opposition, a trickery that I saw play out in many states during the last elections.
It must be recalled that Senator Adams Oshiomole from Auchi in Edo North Senatorial zone was governor from 2008 to 2016 and handed over to Governor Godwin Obaseki. It is largely unreasonable to think that Edo North should now produce Obaseki’s successor as if Edo governorship is shared between the North and the South to the exclusion of the Central zone.
It is for this reason that those drumming for Shuaibu’s mid-road dance must be wary of unpleasant consequences. They appear bent on ruining the young man’s political career by using him to try and truncate the chances of the Esans, a gamble that will definitely not gamble well.
I should like to think though that Mr. Shuaibu is smarter than a lot of people will want to give him credit for. I see him doing the right thing at the end of the day. But end of day may be too long time. He had better realize that a stitch in time saves nine. The earlier he reconciles genuinely with the governor the better for everyone but especially for their party the PDP.
