As the tempo of activities for the 2020 Governorship election in Edo state increases, politicians are already scheming in their various political gatherings on how to reposition themselves in the next dispensation.
In their desperation to scale through the battles ahead, so many clandestine and conventional methods are being employed to get what they want to achieve. You know, it is this innate craze for power that drives some of them into bizarre ventures.
We have heard so many stories of how far some politicians have gone to achieve or retain their positions in the corridors of power, just like the money rituals being performed by some people to acquire wealth.
It is in this times that mysterious news fly in the air, children get missing, blood sacrifices are required and there are power tussles both physically and spiritually, all in a bid to secure positions in the political space.
But interestingly, there has been another dimension used by some politicians and their media managers to deprive their perceived opponents from reaching out to the people on their contacts in the social media.
Though, it is not really a cause for worry, but it beats my imagination why on earth should people like some of us be dragged into the political fray because of our positive stories and articles published in favor of the Godwin Obaseki led administration.
Some days again, I found out my Whatsup account in the social media was hacked and all the groups I belonged to have been de- activated, which invariably means I can no more participate in such groups with my published write-ups on their platforms.
After Investigations however, it was gathered that my write-ups widely posted on the several platforms have made some politicians uncomfortable and to curtail my visibility in the social media they resorted to this method to be in control of the cyber space.
In my thirty one years of journalism practice, I have always remained non partisan, but working for a Newspaper medium established by a state government, I am duty bound to project the image of that government irrespective who sits there as the governor, because he who pays the piper dictates the tune.
For the information of those behind this nefarious scheme, it is not possible to deprive one from exercising his civic duties especially when the person happens to be the one editing the state owned media.
I recall that during the short lived tenure of Prof. Osariemen Osunbor as Governor of Edo state, we had a similar experience which is worth sharing for a proper understanding of the burden placed on persons working for a state government media like the Nigerian Observer.
Then, because of a book I wrote in honor of the late Iyasele of Esan land, Chief Tony Anenih, I met Mr. Tony Ikpasaja, Press Secretary to the Chief who was then Minister for Works. When Tony Ikpasaja was later made Special Adviser on Communications and Public Affairs to Prof. Osunbor I was deployed from the Nigerian Observer to government house to be a Media Assistant in that government.
During that period, I wrote series of stories and articles in favour of that administration, and when the former Governor of Edo state, now APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole became Governor through the tribunal judgment, some of his aides and himself were apparently not happy with the role played by the Nigerian Observer then.
But the truth remains that, the workers allegiance is always with the government in power and there was no way one could do otherwise in that circumstance. However, for the eight years of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration, the Nigerian Observer did not get favorable attention from government.
The Newspaper had to survive and we did survive until the emergence of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the narrative has since changed in all ramifications. There is so much light in the tunnel today that there is now a magnificent building constructed in the premises of the Observer, with so many juicy plans for the staff and future of the establishment.
Just like I mentioned earlier, we are not politicians, we are only doing our jobs as journalists, and therefore we should not be drawn into politics. However, I am enthusiastic that whatsoever is the motive for hacking my Whatsup number, either to impersonate me on the various platforms, my views on any matter should by now be known.
If the motive is aimed at defrauding me or black mailing me, I wish them well. But the truth is that I am very enthusiastic because enthusiasm itself has power. When I allow myself to be worried, to begin to think about what has happened it takes away strength from me and I get drained both spiritually and emotionally.
Therefore, I must confess that when it dawned on me that my privacy had been invaded by hackers of the cyber space, I was worried and I tried to get in contact with some close friends who understands the social media better, but on a second thought it became obvious that I may just be going to dine with the devil itself.
Eubaldus Enahoro is Ag. Editor of the Nigerian Observer
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