Edo State is reputed to be the heart beat of the nation and very influential in national politics. I do not know how to categorise it now, but after the Ogbemudia administrative era, successive military administrations so messed up the place that criminal elements, including the Aninis of this world, held sway for some time.
Then the godfathers took their turn, seized control of the whole state and determined what and how the resources were shared. State resources became inextricably tied to personal properties of individuals. That was the case until the coming of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who was ably backed by other political actors, including the present Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Pastor Ize Iyamu. This group campaigned vociferously and diligently to put the godfathers in their place and with a benevolent Federal Government under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan, free and fair elections were held in Edo State and the godfathers lost out.
That is why, if we are to look at the antecedents in all of the states in this present dispensation, Edo State stands out as a paradox. This is so because, here was an Oshiomhole who brought the high and mighty to Benin City, inside the famous Ogbemudia Stadium to declare the ‘one man, one vote’ mantra, now struggling, albeit unsuccessfully, to shed himself from the godfather toga. This is a state that has produced great freedom fighters like Anthony Enahoro, Michael Imoudu, even Oshiomhole and many others, a state that is in the forefront of education and sports now back to the old ways of one man deciding the sole candidate for the position of governor. That is the paradox; shouting democracy and ‘one man, one vote’ to any one that cares to listen, while doing the opposite in actuality. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth of most of us that are admirers of the governor.
How could Oshiomhole not carry out a free and fair party election that will be accepted by all? Why must he be so blatantly partisan, when he is supposed to be a perfect role model, not only for the state but for the whole country? Why allow so much acrimony in an atmosphere where a free and transparent election would have allowed peace to reign? He should have taken a perfect example of what Barak Obama just did in the US? He waited to see that Hillary Clinton has sealed victory in the democratic primaries before coming out in her support. That is how it is done. To openly sack people that have been loyal to you because of their preference for candidates outside yours is an abuse of power, that is not democracy. Now that he has succeeded in implanting his candidate, he is now trying to make amends by recalling some of those he had sacked. Is government service so insignificant that it should be so trivialised? Sacking officers at your whims?
That is not right. When we thought that we are done with the era of godfathers in the state, Oshiomhole has brought it back again and if he succeeds in doing this, it will take a long time for the state to get out of this culture; that is why the people must not allow it. Edo State is a state of educated and right thinking people, the type not to be taken for granted.
Irrespective of the background of a candidate, the people must be made to make their choice freely and without intimidation. For that reason, the forthcoming state governorship election must be properly monitored by all concerned. With the conduct of the party primaries, it is obvious that, if not properly monitored, the election could be manipulated to favour a particular candidate.
It was done during the All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries and it could be replicated in the main election. Since the coming of Muhammadu Buhari as President, Oshiomhole has become a different person, becoming more of a bully, displaying such traits that should not be seen in a true democracy and in the process, he has courted unnecessary enemies. I do not have anything against any particular candidate, my concern is the flawed process that brought him in. Impositions have never proven to be successful in this part of our world. The example of Ganduje and Kwankwaso of Kano State is still fresh in our memories.
Ganduje was the only deputy governor endorsed by his principal in the entire 36 states of the country. But it did not take six months for the marriage to crumble. That is why I feel that Oshiomhole has made a mistake. People should be allowed to vote for the candidate of their choice, the ones they feel can perform up to expectations, not the godfather’s candidate. Even if the candidate turns out to be a disappointment, they have a choice to remove him the next time. On this note, I expect the good people of Edo State to vote for their conscience; no one has the monopoly of wisdom; what one can do, another can do even better. That is why developed countries continue to grow. Edo State can produce better Oshiomholes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must ensure that the conduct of the election is free, fair and credible. From what we have seen in Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers, they have left much to be desired. Edo State election must not become another inconclusive one. If proper arrangements are made, votings can be concluded in one day and results announced. There must not be external interference of any type. If the election is open free and fair, we will not witness the type of violence in Bayelsa and Rivers that made them declare some results inconclusive.
The present INEC chair must take a cue from Professor Attahiru Jega: he must bring his competence to bear in this election. Fortunately for all, this government has begun the process of bringing officials of the military, who engaged in electoral misconduct in past elections, to justice. All of those in position now - Army, Police, DSS, civil defense and others - must take note that there is a day of judgement; therefore, they must remain impartial and non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.
The people of Edo State are an enlightened and if we all agree to do it right, it will come out right. Will the INEC pass the test? We wait and see.
By Sunny Ikhioya a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos
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