Reasons for Obaseki’s desperation, by Kola Amzat

As we count down to Edo gubernatorial election, the declaration by the state’s out-going governor to employ ‘do or die approach’ to win the election shouldn’t take Nigerians by surprise.

The reckless and very undemocratic pronouncement is a testament to the fact that Godwin Obaseki is obviously been hounded by his horrendous political antecedent. He’s a governor been tormented by his shadow.

Besides the fact that the governor declaration could incite large-scale violence, pandemonium and chaos during and even, after the election, it’s indeed not in tandem with ethos, customs and principles of contemporary democratic order and therefore, stands condemnable by all well-meaning and right-thinking Nigerians.      

But, let no one pity Obaseki!

He’s indeed a drowning man. The governor is overwhelmed with avalanche of worries.

Where would he start from, if PDP fail to win?

How would he hide his face in the midst of legion of political enemies and foes he has made over the last 8 years?

How would he re-cultivate relationship with known benefactors, who he has put to sword during his 8 years uneventful, uninspiring, rancorous and tempestuous regime?     

The above were the thoughts that necessitated that reckless and unbecoming declaration that came from his mouth.

And, if report of impending rejection at the polls, of the PDP and the candidate Obaseki foisted on the Edo people by the large segments in all the state’s three senatorial districts is anything to go by, his worries are genuinely founded, as he has no hiding place.

In any case, how would he, PDP and their gubernatorial candidate survive the onslaught of APC governorship and deputy governorship candidates, Senator Monday Okhepbolo and House Reps member, Dennis Idahosa respectively, coupled with the backing of the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomole and of course, the ferocious support of Obaseki’s deputy-Phillip Shuaib, who has personally resolved to pay back the out-going governor in his own coins, for subjecting him to harrowing experience, ridicule and scorn while making spirited efforts to sweep him out of deputy governor office?

It should be noted that Phillip Shuaib had the court of law to profoundly thank for his restoration back to office. 

Meanwhile, it’s crystal clear that, PDP is likely to be resoundingly defeated as they go to polls on Saturday.

So, the declaration of ‘win at all cost’ by the out-going governor is therefore founded.  

Of course, Obaseki hasn’t covered himself in glory, pre, during and post elections triumphs of his 2 terms in office.

It’s on record that he betrayed his widely known political benefactor, Adams Oshiomole, who single-handedly foisted and imposed him on Edo people as governor, just barely three months after he was inaugurated into the office.

He didn’t only severe relationship with former NLC president, he practically barred him for very long time from entering Edo state.

He also made frantic efforts to shove out from office, Phillip Shuaib, his deputy, who significantly supported him to enjoy temporary dominance of Edo politics, after they’d significantly reduce Adams Oshiomole political influence across the state.

It’s also instructive to note that, the out-going governor rules the state for significant proportion of his 8 years regime without a standing House of Assembly.

He ensured that 80% of the members of the assembly who he perceived as loyalists of his predecessor are politically frustrated and traumatized.

It’s in public domain that those legislators were practically conducting plenary sessions outside of Edo state for larger part of their tenures.

Not to forget the ill-treatment he later meted to Nyesom Wike and other PDP governors who rallied round him to return back to office for the second term.

It’s an understatement to say that Obaseki is an embodiment of political debauchery and treacherousness!

To worsen his case, Nigeria political record also captured the out-going governor’s insolence, unguarded and reckless statement directed at the incumbent president in the build up to his second term quest for office in year 2020 that, Tinubu should limit his influence to Lagos state and should never venture into Edo politics.

Of course, the chicken has come home to roost. Where is the escape route for Obaseki, now that he’s firmly under the control of the Nigerian illustrious political figure and ex-Lagos state governor, who he has recklessly embarrass and ridicule in the past?

Most strikingly, the Achilles heel of the governor remains his awful performance as Edo helmsman for 8 years.

There is little or no impact with respect to infrastructural, educational, medical, agricultural and even, technological developments that good people of Edo state can point to as Obaseki achievement, as the governor continually got himself engrossed and totally overwhelmed in war of attrition and other pedestrians issues with political opponents throughout his 8 years tenure.

So, how would he not be troubled, particularly with EFCC and ICPC already waiting in the wing to quiz him in a couple of weeks, with a view to making him account for several billions of Naira mismanaged and misappropriated during his inglorious 8 years regime?   

Why shouldn’t he put his life on the line, as well as life of those gullible and uninformed political faithful who have benefited from his better-forgotten 8 years tenure?    

This is the travail of the out-going governor and he obviously deserves sympathy of all.   

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB),

Lagos based Financial Consultants,

09077509348