Edo APC Guber: Who is Oshiomhole Working For?

Former Edo state Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s suspicious role in the unfolding political events within the All Progressives Congress may be the undoing of the party in Edo State – ahead of the state governorship election. Iyobosa Uwugiaren examines the issues.

There is a story in one of the credible online newspapers recently about the unsuccessful attempt by former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, to convince a highly revered Benin Palace to support the aspiration of the Edo Central to produce the next governor of the state.

His argument, according to the report, was that after eight years of the outgoing government of Godwin Obaseki, from Edo South, power should shift to other senatorial districts.

However, apparently shocked by  Oshiomhole’s ethnic disposition, the Palace was said to have reminded him that there was never a time the people of Edo South met to decide on the candidature of Governor Obaseki in 2017, saying it was the same Oshiomhole, who came to the palace some years ago and insisted that Obaseki was his preferred candidate, and subsequently worked him through the electoral victory. 

The Palace’s advice: Allow all sons and daughters of Edo State to aspire to the Number One political position in the state; and let the people decide who their next governor is.

However, despite the palace’s advice, recent questioning attempt by Senator Oshiomhole to play ‘’godfather’s role’’ in the process leading to the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) primary in Edo State may be an indication that he has not given up in his quest to realize his dream. And many political observers have warned that Oshiomhole’s desperation, if not checked, will be the undoing of the APC in the Edo governorship election slated for next few month.

What are the issues? In line with the party’s guidelines in electing its candidate for the election – recently released by the party’s national secretariat, state party’s leaders and stakeholders decided to set up an advice-giving meeting with the aspirants few weeks ago.

At the meeting, an insider said the 29 aspirants were urged to unite, talk to themselves and reduce the numbers of those eying the ticket to a manageable size.

And the self-styled leader of the party in Edo State, Senator Oshiomhole, was said to have took it upon himself to set up a six-man committee headed by the House of Representatives Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, to have a conversation with the 29 aspirants, and make suggestions on how the numbers could be trimmed down.

However, in statement signed by some state party’s leaders: Dr. Atsikidi Leonard, Hon. Engr. Dako Elamai, Barr. Bayo Omo-Igeh, Hon. Besta Ozeoya, Chief Vincent Ifada, Hon. Martins Eromosele and others, they said  ‘’Edo people were shocked when the news broke out that this committee had initially recommended 10 names among the aspirants, and on meeting with Comrade Oshiomhole, it was told to further remove some names and reduce it to six.’

‘’We would like to state for the records that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole does not have the authority to constitute a screening committee as he is neither the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress nor a member of the NWC.

‘’Furthermore, only aspirants who have completed and submitted their forms can be screened by the committee established by the NWC for this purpose’’, the concerned members of the party added.

The argument by the concerned APC members was that members of the committee unlawfully assumed the functions of the NWC of the party and were ‘’unfortunately coerced’’ by Oshiomhole to submit a report in variance of their earlier recommendations, which was already in the public domain.

The APC members therefore called on the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, President Bola Tinubu, and other well-meaning party leaders across the country, to intervene and restrain Oshiomhole and his co-travelers.

Apparently sensing danger that the seeming unlawful act by Oshiomhole was capable of creating unhelpful political tension within the party, the APC’s national leaders quickly issued a statement, advising all the aspirants to ignore the former governor of Edo State.

What is clear – ahead of the party primaries in Edo State, is that the self-styled ‘’godfather of Edo State politics’’ has a subjective interest on who becomes the candidate of the party in the coming election. But, political observers in the unfolding political events in the state have argued that while Oshiomhole may be legitimately interested in who becomes the candidate of the party, all stakeholders should be committed to the ‘’principles of fairness, equity, and justice’’ in the process. And sincerely hope that the primary contest – the intra-party election, would be resolved fairly in the general interest of the APC members in Edo State.

From all indications, Oshiomhole appears to be building political structures of ‘’godfatherism’’ in the state and, fast gaining a peculiar name for himself: a prosperous and authoritative political figure, who crassly and unholy exerts political influence behind the scenes.

Like a true and definitive ‘’godfather’’, what has earned Oshiomhole the tag of political godfather over the years, was his access to Edo State’s wealth as governor of the state for eight years; and he is currently using his largesse in creating suspicious political networks through which he can influence political developments in the state.

But, like every other slow-thinking-political godfather – that Oshiomhole is, not many APC stakeholders in the state doubt if he will be able to shape who is nominated as the governorship candidate; or who wins in the coming governorship race in the state.

The former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, may be following the footstep of his colleagues within the political class.

But, one lesson the class has refused to learn is that ‘’godfatherism’’ is destructive to Nigeria’s democracy; but, unfortunately, it has endured completely unhelpful since the country returned to democracy in 1999.

Check the political space, politics is increasingly being personalized in Nigeria.

Many political experts have argued that democracy as the ethical and legitimate way through which any society can be administered, has been lacking in the country due to ‘’dirty politics’’ of self-centred politicians. And the danger in the politics of godfatherism script, which Oshiomhole is currently interpreting in the intra APC politics that negates peaceful coexistence, law/order, and all tenets of democratic process, may finally destroy the party in the state – if not checked.

For example, how will the APC – as a ruling party at the federal level, manage a situation where its first-eleven aspirants like Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Professor Osarieamen Osubor, Engineer Chris Ogiemwonyi, General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) and others, are excluded from contesting the primaries because of the selfish interest of one man?

Ask any rational political actor in Edo State, they will tell you that Ize-Iyamu remains the main issue in the state politics. And when making an allowance for the political benefits of having a strong support base among electoral voters, many political analysts believe Ize-Iyamu stands out, because he is indubitably a well-known name – not only among Edo State residents and electorates, but also among political leaders across the national political space.

There are many experienced political actors who have argued consistently in the last few days that Ize-Iyamu’s recognition and influence extend beyond the state, providing him a distinct edge over other contenders within the APC, if the ruling party is genuinely and seriously committed in securing victory in the upcoming Edo election.

To be sure, with a massive consistent, loyal political followers, the former Secretary to Edo State Government boasts of a strong local and diaspora support base of thousands of voters in each of his earlier electoral accomplishments, laying a very solid ground for his current governorship aspiration.

Alluding to the benefits of the APC having Ize-Iyamu as its candidate in the coming election, a political analyst, Dr. Kelvin Igabo, stated recently that the APC’s consideration of the Senior Pastor in the RCCG should extend beyond political dexterity, touching upon a crucial factor—credibility.

According to him, ‘’Pastor Ize-Iyamu brings not only a wealth of spiritual leadership but also a steadfast commitment to ethical governance; his wife, a respected Professor of Medicine in the University of Benin and Senior Pastor at RCCG, adds another layer of credibility to his candidacy.’’

Apart from Ize-Iyamu, Professor Osubor, Engineer Ogiemwonyi, and General Airhiavbere are also shining political stars in the APC. What should matter to the APC is a winning candidate in the coming governorship race in a complex and highly politically conscious state like Edo, and not many people believe Oshiomhole is working towards this goal.