By Steve Nwosu
Irrespective of what the courts, including the apex court in the land, might have ruled, some of us believe that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won the 2016 governorship election in Edo State.
I guess I would not stand in contempt of court for my belief. The law only says we must abide by (and obey) court pronouncements, it did not say we must believe such verdicts. Thankfully too, heresy no longer exists in the modern society which we’re pretending to be running today.
So, even at the risk of being taken prisoner (of conscience), I remain unconvinced that Obaseki won that 2016 vote. And I’m sure that both the governor and his now-estranged godfather are fully aware of this fact.
In fact one redhead once told me that major reason why Godfather was very angry with godson (and which ultimately contributed to the pathing of ways) was because godfather had allegedly squandered an enviable war chest, stockpiled in lieu of post-Government house life, to procure justice (no, judgement) for godson, with the unwritten agreement that godson, on assumption of office, would make replenishing the stockpile a priority. But he reneged.
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To the chagrin of the labour leader-turned billionaire. The man who demolished an existing godfather, only to replace him with himself. One would have thought that there would be honour among thieves, the same way thieving police and security operatives evoke espirit de corps among themselves, but godson stood his ground, insisting that what was demanded of him (differently put at between N9b and N12b, in the furst instance) was criminally heartless.
It was at that point that, as my mischievous wife would say, a trailer drove through their centre, destroying whatever it was that held them together. That is why Oshiomhole has spat into the air, collected it with his face, and sworn that his recalcitrant godson would not make it back to Government House.
Even in the face of the inherent risks associated with using a sledgehammer to swat a fly petched on his own scrotum, the man from Iyamho is said to have stuck to his guns.
But all that is beer-parlour talk, which, though subject to generous spicing, must still be accompanied by a few green bottles to be believed.
What does not beggar belief, however, is that next month’s governorship election in Edo state is a two-horse race.
For, with due respect to all the other political parties daily nominating their respective gubernatorial candidates, it is clear that that election is a straight fight between PDP’s Godwin Obaseki, who happens to be the incumbent governor, and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, as I closely follow Obaseki’s campaign for re-election, I can’t but wonder: why is he still campaigning so hard?
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I thought Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the drowning National Chairman of APC and Obaseki’s estranged godfather and predecessor, had done all the campaign for him more than four years ago.
As a retired ambassador friend of mine mischievously noted, last weekend, all Obaseki needs to do is to strategically mount large screens across the state and just keep playing and replaying all that Oshiomhole said about why the Edo electorate should vote Obaseki and not Ize-Iyamu.
As it stands, nothing the former governor said about the two frontrunners has changed, except the platforms. Yes, four years ago, Ize-Iyamu flew the PDP flag for the same election, while Obaseki contested on the platform of the APC.
Now, they have switched platforms (a travestythat has become the norm in contemporary Nigerian politics) – the the man who the Comrade admonished Edo people never to vote for has gone to APC, while the man who was always after the Comrade’s heart has pitched his tent with PDP.
Clearly, therefore, the advantage of party platform has effectively been cancelled out. Both men would now have to be evaluated on the strength of their respective character, track record and, of course, incumbency. And for this, Oshiomhole is in the best position to attest.
And he had given his verdict (the same verdict) over and over again in the last four our five years. That was until things fell apart in the last few months.
All Obaseki need do now is simply: Remind Edo voters of the former NLC President’s testimonial on both men. Case closed.
On a lighter note: I’m told that Ize-Iyamu stands no chance of becoming governor because he is handsome. For, to become governor of Edo State, good looks are a major disadvantage. If you doubt it, go back to 1999 till date, and, as the Igo would say, use your tongue to count your teeth. God knows I’ve not named any names.
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…Jagaban, the Phoenix
If you’re one of those celebrating what many have naively termed the fall of Tinubu, with the recent developments in the APC, you may need to still leave your champagne on the ice for a little longer.
For, while Oshiomhole may have been Tinubu’s choice for the APC chairmanship, it cannot be said, for certain, that the former’s ouster is a mortal blow to Asiwaju’s political life.
Even if it were, our recent political history is replete with instances where Tinubu has left no one in doubt that he is a political phoenix. Setbacks like this seem to energize and re-energise him. Like he always does, he keeps quiet in the storm, rides the storm, and when calm returns, plays his joker.
Yes, there is no denying the fact that political adversaries have been chipping away at the pillars of the Asiwaju political fortress, but it would take more than just the sacking of Oshiomhole to demobilize Tinubu.
It is only a wake-up call to the Asiwaju, to retool his processes. But, like the Yoruba say, whenever the ram walks backwards from a fight, it is never the sign of surrender, rather it is for reinforcement. The worst that can happen is: we pour out everything and pick the pieces afresh. Only legends will understand!
Steve Nwosu is MD/Editor-in-chief, The Xpress newspapers