Before you read down the lines, if you can, please first reference my earlier articles published in The ‘NIGERIAN OBSERVER as follows:
1. The Crucifix: not for Adams Oshiomhole (1st July, and 2nd July, 2014)
2. Courage: Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (19th August, 2014.)
3. Don’t kill the moon for the superstar (18th October, 2014.)
4. When Edo was… then came in Adams Oshiomhole (17th November, 2014)
The above articles were necessitated according to the happenings at various times in the course of Adams Oshiomhole’s administration as Governor in Edo State. I don’t write ambiguities, I don’t write complexities and I don’t write paradox. I write for the average educated person. Whether we like it or not, the tomorrow of Edo State cannot be adequately taken care of without reference to its yesterday. A man who fails to keep the memory of his yesterday be it success or failure cannot adequately take care of his tomorrow.
All the talks about who becomes Governor after Adams Oshiomhole are anchored or tap-rooted in the systematic progress and development of Edo State. I think the big question for who wants to be Governor of our dear State is, what is his or her interest in Governance? Mr. Governor hopeful, what is your interest?
1. Are you coming to be Governor to become richer?
2. Are you coming to be Governor for the name sake, docile, while the people loot the treasury at your watch and you do nothing about it?
3. Are you coming with the determination to outdo Comrade Oshiomhole’s administration in terms of cognitive infrastructure, industrialization, manpower development and provision of social amenities etc, thereby taking Edo State to the next higher level for your own successors to strive to outdo too?
A reasonable Edo State citizen will opt for a Governor described in number three above. Prophet Jeremiah who, is nicknamed the “weeping prophet” once said; “oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughters of my people”(Jeremiah 9:1). We need leaders who will cry and weep when the people cry and weep like Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon. We need leaders who will smile and laugh only when they see such expressions of emotion in the people like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo when he increased minimum wage and Adams Oshiomhole when he gave Edo people infrastructures.
We are tired of leaders who sit back in their cozy houses and offices sipping tea and wine, while their people’s houses are being swept away by flood and erosion. We are tired of leaders who fly in aeroplanes while their people die in undone death-trap roads and streets. We are tired of leaders who send their children to overseas schools while the children of their people school in dilapidated buildings under sun and rain. We are tired of leaders who leave our health facilities unequipped for our use while they use our money to fly overseas for treatment.
We need leaders who are and will ever be touched with the feeling of our sufferings. All these should form the basis for who our next Governor should be. This person should be better than Adams Oshiomhole by far, otherwise, we will not settle for the less. The incumbent Oshiomhole has said in many of his public addresses that he wants his successor in office to do better than him. Infact this is the mind of a selfless, pragmatic, and progressive leader who has the people’s interest deeply rooted in his heart. A good leader produces better leaders who will not only sustain his dreams and visions, but also enhance on them. The Bible says; “For the Kingdom is the LORD’s: and He is the governor among the nations” (Psalm 22:28). (…”)the most high ruleth in the Kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).
Until the world comes to an end, the governors and leaders of our dear state are going to be from Edo State citizens. Therefore, while men do their selection, we need earnest prayers by those who know how to pray, so that ‘Righteous’ men will emerge from our primaries and elections who will make us to rejoice. We must pray against Satan’s candidates who will take us back to the Egypt of quagmire of underdevelopment.
As far as I am concerned, we should play down on the things which had dragged us backward hitherto. The Bible says; “Let us lays aside every weight and the sin that so easily beset us…” (Hebrews 12:1). If it is possible, let us lay aside issues of zoning, tribe, religion, party and the likes. Infact, if a man from another state, but has continually been resident in Edo State as required by the Nigeria Constitution to qualify as citizen; and is qualified by his pedigree to rule well as a governor or leader, such a person should be allowed. The qualities of a leader should be uppermost in our hearts and not sentiments. Sentiments give people failure, backwardness and disappointments. Until we have the mentality of “who can bring the “GOLD”, we will not go far. This is the advantage that the developed world has over us today. Infact, in America that we know very well, there have been times when successors to predecessors either as Presidents or Governors were from the same states and towns. Infact a glaring example was the Bush’s family where a son succeeded a father as President. In an exaggerated (hyperbole) manner which I know cannot happen for now; judging by Oshiomhole’s works, and given the chance to name a successor and he feels that his younger brother is qualified to succeed him, why not? See the chart of America Presidency below for example;
1. George Washngton VIRGINIAN /V.A 1789-1797;
2. John Adams MASSACHUSSETTS/M.A 1797-1801; 3. Thomas Jefferson VIRGINIAN/V.A 1801-1809; 4. James Madison VIRGINIAN/V.A 1809-1817; 5. James Monroe VIRGINIAN/V.A 1817-1825; 6. John Quincy Adams MASSACHUSETTS/M.A 1825-1829; 7. Benjamine Harrison OHIO /O.H 1889-1893; 8. William Mckinley OHIO/OH 1897-1901; 9. George Bush (Snr). MASSACHUSETTS /M.A 1989-1993; 10. George Bush (Jnr.) CONNECTICUT/C.T 2001-Obama
A trip down the memory lane of past Governors of Edo State and their activities will always focus attention on Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Prof. Ambrose Alli and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as Governors indeed. Among them, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is currently deeply involved in the day-to-day running of the State Government. He has been working with vibrant team for almost eight years now. He as a Supervisor and General Superintendent has tried and tested many in leadership positions. He now knows their various strengths and weaknesses through think and thin.
Like a father, who can at any time tell what any of his sons can do though many, Comrade Adams OshIomhole should be allowed to speak who his successor in office should be while we pray for the person just as we have been praying for him (Oshiomhole) to succeed.
Let Edo State be like Lagos State where Governor Fashola improved on Governor Tinubu’s work and the likelihood that Governor Ambode will enhance on Fashola’s work is clear in the horizon. So, let Adams Oshiomhole speak.
• Rev. Dr. Raphael U. Oizimende (JP) writes from Ivbiodohen, Owan-West, Edo State. 08055375303, 07033227427.
