In the past few days, Edo State has been in the political news for very obvious reasons. As the September 10 governorship election draws nearer, the political firmament of the Edo State is charged. It is, however, not unexpected as the main contest for who becomes the next Governor after Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is certainly happening within the All Progressives Congress (APC). The ongoing skirmishes notwithstanding, it is instructive that whosoever wins the party’s nomination will automatically become the next governor of Edo State because the people have pitched their tent with the APC for good.
There have been some unpalatable occurrences these past days which must be stemmed. First , was the disclosure that the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu’s coordinator, Barr.Humphrey Uanseoje, signed a letter with other governorship aspirants of the party such as Engr. Chris Ogienwonyi, Barr. Ken Imasuagbon and Barr. Omo Irabor, which they sent to the National Secretariat of the APC alleging plans by the state Chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua, to doctor the delegates list for the gubernatorial primary with the backing of Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. The publication undoubtedly did not go down well with the governor and several other party faithful. It was also about the first time, many watchers of political events in the party would find the deputy governor openly accusing his principal of alleged plot to manipulate the forthcoming party primary. The State Governor, on his part had hinted of his desire to back one of the many candidates vying for the party’s ticket. But from the letter to the party national secretariat, it was obvious that Dr. Odubu was not the aspirant that enjoys the support of the governor. But, sadly to watchers of events, both men have worked together harmoniously over the past ten years for the common good of Edo State.
Again, came an allegation from our comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole published in the Vanguard that his Deputy, Pius Odubu allegedly contracted native doctors to eliminate him so that Odubu will take over as governor.
The Governor said he was informed of the alleged plan by a leader of the party and that he had met with the native doctors whom his deputy allegedly contracted to do the damage, adding that the native doctors admitted and gave him details of how the rituals were executed.
The governor’s disclosure came as a surprise to many APC leaders and members of the public just as it was refuted by the deputy governor who attributed what he described as the spurious allegation to the handiwork of his political enemies bent on causing disaffection between him and the governor. To prove his innocence, Odubu offered to contact a strong traditional doctor in Benin, so that those who accused him will come and take an oath before the gods. He vehemently denied the allegation and reiterated his loyalty to the governor. He said, as a Catholic faithful, he could not contemplate anything as the plot to poison his boss with juju.
Then came the formal declaration of Odubu of his intention to seek the All Progressives Congress ticket in the state’s governorship election to hold in September, 2016,. Following week, he was at Auchi for political activities and he alleged that he was attacked by assassins who were after his life but that the said assassins shot six of his followers.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kasim Afegbua, however, dismissed the assassination claim of Odubu stating that what happened at Auchi was a shootout between rival political groups for which the Inspector General of Police , Solomon Arase has raised a high powered team of detectives to investigate the incident.
The political tension in the state later in the week moved to the state House of Assembly with the impeachment of two principal officers- Speaker, Victor Edoror and his deputy, Mr. Bright Osayande. Again, there were sporadic gun shots at the Edo Assembly and tear gas canisters were fired to disperse hordes of political thugs brought into the House by the lawmakers who appeared prepared for the crisis. Although, the reasons given by the new leadership for their impeachment are high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies and financial recklessness, their actions have also sent tongues wagging- even from the quarters of the Heathens, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State. The PDP must know that they can never profit from the current misunderstanding in the APC as all the issues would be amicably resolved to the good of Edo people.
It is, therefore important to emphasise that he major negative factors that have prevented development and stability in our Political dispensation is politics of bitterness. That was what destroyed the PDP that it cannot stand till date.
Often times I see politicians killing each other, betraying one another because of political positions or appointments and I wonder: Does politics teach us to destroy one another? Is polities meant to eradicate integrity and love for one another?
Politicians need to understand and appreciate the ethics of politics and true meaning of politics. The fact that you lost your presidential, Governorship or Senatorial position should not make you to develop hatred and bitterness towards your opponents. A true politician should constantly allow ethics in politics to guide his words and actions. It must not be a do or die affair.
A case study of politics played in advanced democracies such as America, Britain, Japan, Italy and Spain and so on, should be emulated by our politicians in Nigeria. Recently, I watched the politics of Ghana to see if it would be characterized by violence that is often being associated with Nigeria and other Africa nations. To my amazement, I discovered that Ghana politics was devoid of violence and rigging of election. This is not to say that there were no flaws in Ghana politics. But it produces platform for other politicians to learn from.
The essence of Politics is to promote one another, enhance development in our society, promote peace and unity and advance the common good of society. We fail in our political ambitions and positions because of wrong motives in politics.
As a leader, I submit that we should constantly emulate God, our creator who makes the rain to fall on the just and on the unjust. We should always learn from his faithfulness, love, mercy, and kindness towards his creatures.
Politicians who succeed in any Position should wish others well, overlook the mistakes and short-comings of others, see beyond the now and allow ethics in politics to guide their words and actions.
I will urge my colleagues in the APC to constantly allow their words and actions be devoid of hatred for their opponents, operate in unity and pursue a common goal that will always enhance positive development in their states and Nigeria.
Our party, the APC is blessed with abundant leaders whom I trust can mediate in the current impasse and bring about an amicable solution to all sides. I implore our party elders and leaders to move swiftly to resolve all issues before our party primaries. It is clear that Edo people are waiting for us to get it right and continue to govern the state the way we have been doing since 2008. May God keep and bless our party.
• Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State.
