Recently, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, sacked eight commissioners from his cabinet. In the same vein, the governor nominated their replacements just as he appointed five Special Advisers.
Since the move by government, a lot of political observers have been running commentaries on the action of Governor Obaseki. Some say the action was a product of the crisis between the Governor and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, while others believe that the Governor has the right to hire and fire in his capacity as the state chief executive officer. Of a truth, it is his prerogative to appoint commissioners and remove whosoever he wants to drop and appoint whomsoever he deems fit because at the end of the day, he takes full responsibility for the success or failure of his administration.
As it were, the commentaries have continued to heighten the political conversation in Edo State ahead of the 2020 gubernatorial poll, for which supporters of Governor Obaseki believe he must be returned unhindered.
To the supporters of Governor Obaseki, it will be suicidal for you to continue to empower your enemies, because they would be in a position to use those resources earned from you to undermine you and even pull you down and they are right in that judgement because that is the reality of politics.
To some others, history is merely repeating itself in Edo State. They believe that Governor Obaseki is not the first governor serving in Edo that will reshuffle commissioners this way. His predecessor, Comrade Oshimhole did so. When it was obvious that the romance between Oshiomhole and his Godfather, Chief Tony Anenih had gone sour, Oshiomhole sacked all those nominated by Anenih into his cabinet. Thereafter, he took control of the state political machine and openly declared an end to political godfathers in the state.
This is where so many Edo people are worried over the seeming emergence of godfatherism in the state. The question to be answered by almost all Edo eligible voters now is: should we allow godfathers in Edo politics or we should eliminate godfatherism completely?
The recent inauguration of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly is another issue that most persons point fingers to as being part of the issue at stake in the politics of the state. Many believe the assembly issue is directly linked to the crisis between the two Edo sons.
Opponents within believe there are certain conditions linked to the former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that Governor Obaseki needs to meet. This appears to be the departure point that has continued to heat and over heat the polity in Edo. But should this be allowed to continue? The answer is an absolute no. The Governor and indeed the state deserve our collective prayers. There should be peace in Edo as our people are hungry for development and more development from the APC government. Edo people are at home and in peace with the All Progressives Congress as a political party. Internal party wrangling must not be allowed to linger for too long. That was why I had made some suggestions on how to drive the peace within. But it does seem as if some persons are bent on stoking the misunderstanding between the two sons of Edo State.
This is why I salute the revered monarch of the Benin kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II who in spite of his busy schedules created time to visit President Muhammadu Buhari with Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers over this issue.
Oba Ewuare II, in his address to President Buhari at the closed door meeting sought the intervention of the President in the crisis between the state governor, Godwin Obaseki; and Mr. Adams Oshiomhole. The Monarch told President Buhari that “If this crisis is not resolved now with immediate effect, it may jeopardise the progress of the state. On behalf of the good people of Edo State, we kindly appeal to Mr. President to use your good offices to intervene and stop this crisis.’’
This is a highly commendable step taken by our royal fathers because instead of taking sides and making matters worse, the entire traditional rulers in the state are asking President Buahri to intervene so that there will be peace in Edo.
Whichever side of the crisis anyone belongs, we must all know that power belongs to God. All power belongs to God and nobody should play God. No one can fight his battle for Him. God is all knowing and all mighty. No one can take his place in Edo State.
What I know too well is that Edo people have given the All Progressives Congress, APC, their mandate to govern the state for the common good of all Edo people, the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is doing well and even his opponents acknowledge his performance. Edo people want more roads, improved electricity, more business opportunities, more housing, more water, more jobs for our unemployed youths and these should be the reason for any government’s existence, otherwise, people would need any government. It will be good that our Governor and Comrade Oshiomhole should yield to the move made by Oba Ewuare II and other traditional rulers in the state.
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• Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State.
