Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is currently a wanted man. The erstwhile leader of Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), former Governor of Edo State and immediate past Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) disappeared from public view in the evening of Saturday, September 19, 2020 as votes were being tallied in the recently concluded Edo State Gubernatorial election. Oshiomhole is wanted in connection with his role in that election at which his party was comprehensively trounced by the opposition PDP. Family and friends fear for Mr. Oshiomhole’s safety. They say he is greatly distressed by the outcome of the polls and might be considering ending it all. Anyone with useful information on Mr. Oshiomhole’s whereabouts should please contact the nearest police station or APC party office.
In case you just came in from Planet Mars and are puzzled by this bewildering story, here’s the inside track: The opposition PDP in Edo State got an unexpected windfall when the ruling APC imploded just before a state congress to select its candidate for the ballot. Godwin Obaseki, incumbent APC Governor, was declared “unfit to run for re-election” over allegations of a spelling error on his NYSC discharge certificate. It did not matter that Obaseki had been presented by the same party (APC), and won election to lead Edo state four years earlier with the same certificate. Everyone knew instantly where Obaseki’s problem was coming from. “When a witch cries at night and a child dies in the morning, you don’t ask what killed the child.”
Since vacating the premises of Government House Benin, “Oshio Baba” has been at daggers drawn with his own successor and political godson whom he single-handedly installed. Allegations are rife. Perspectives are diverse. The truth about what really transpired may never fully be known. This much is clear from a forensic reconstruction: The former governor (Oshiomhole) did not get as much influence as he wanted in the new government he installed. He became embittered and decided to show who the real boss was. So, he enlisted the services of 14 “loyal” members of the Edo State Assembly to make the Governor’s seat too hot for Obaseki. The new Governor was left with only 10 assemblymen on his side and promptly decided to fight for his political life. He surreptitiously swore in those 10 without the knowledge of the other 14, whom he claimed refused to present themselves for oath taking after proper notification. Without taking a proper oath of office, everyone knows that a public officer’s tenure is effectively in abeyance. He may be an “elect” for as long he wishes, but certainly not a substantive or incumbent. With this, Obaseki technically neutralized Oshiomhole’s move and closed shop, refusing or frustrating every move to swear in the “renegade” 14.
The intrigues that have accompanied events in Benin since the Oshiomhole-Obaseki conflicts are worthy of a thrilling sequel to Nicolo Machiavelli’s The Prince. Adams Oshiomhole licked his wounds and waited. Godwin Obaseki, having murdered sleep, slept no more. He knew he was dealing with a Cobra for as long as Oshiomhole remained relevant within the APC apparatchik. He tackled his benefactor from the state and ward levels to deliver a knockout blow. Oshiomhole staggered but cleverly stayed on his feet. The party’s state Congress for the selection of a gubernatorial candidate was his last chance to get even. He did. As Party National Chairman, he cobbled together a “Screening Committee” with the mandate of a witch hunt. The committee did its work. It found incumbent Governor Obaseki “unfit to present himself for re-election.” Obaseki fled in horror into the waiting hands of the opposition PDP. It was from the warm embrace of his new-found friends that he won re-election as Governor a few weeks later.
Since Edo State is the acclaimed headquarters of witches and wizards in Nigeria, if not the entire Africa, I am tempted to think that both Oshiomhole and Obaseki learned their witch-hunting skills from the very best. Edo witches in particular are reputed to be world class. Whereas most witches around the globe reportedly fly at night under the cover of darkness, Edo witches are said to fly in broad daylight as well. They even conduct trans-continental flights, I hear. Both daytime and trans-continental flights, I understand, are rare feats in the world of darkness, performed only by the most skillful and most daring. Just as the political spells by Oshiomhole (the godfather) and Obaseki (the godson). The former was adept in casting malevolent spells from Abuja with devastating effects while the latter was a master in digging himself into defensive and offensive trenches in Benin City. In the end, it would appear that “home-based” Obaseki won with generous help from Edo-based covens.
Ironically, Oshiomhole came to power as Edo State Governor 12 years ago on the ashes of another godfather – Tony Anenih. In fact, one of his campaign promises was to “end political godfatherism” in the state. When he won at the polls against the wishes of “Mr. Fixit”, Anenih went into forced political retirement. He died not long afterward. Some say it was from a politically-induced heartbreak. Others say it was from natural causes. Today, Anenih’s fate seems to have come full cycle to haunt Oshiomhole. He has been stripped naked in the market square, in a manner of speaking, by his own “son.” In African tradition, this is a taboo. In political tradition, it is perfectly logical; so says Machiavelli in The Prince. Will Oshiomhole survive this humiliation? Why did he fail to learn from experience and precedence?
There are many who believe that Oshiomhole is made of sterner stuff and will surely bounce back. They point to his antecedents as a trade unionist. Those old enough can still vividly recall how the diminutive labor leader rose from heading the Textile Workers Union to become President of the behemoth Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC). He did it in grand style, mesmerizing all with his wit and oratory to clinch the top job. Thereafter, he bestrode the labor movement in Nigeria like a colossus – a delicious irony for a man with the physical presence of a 12 year old boy. The name Oshiomhole struck terror in the hearts of well-fed employers and state officials who trampled on the rights of workers. He took them to the cleaners with his well-reasoned arguments and razor sharp speeches. He lifted the spirits of the downtrodden, arguably more than any other before and after him.
It was with such credentials that “Oshio Baba” wormed his way into Edo State Government House. But his metamorphosis into political conservatism (some would add gangsterism) began shortly afterwards. By the time he completed two terms in office, the former labor leader was unrecognizable in thought and speech. He sounded like an enhanced version of those he once fought on behalf of the oppressed. When he became Chairman of APC, he transmogrified into Frankenstein.
It is said that the true character of a man comes out under the influence of money, power or success. Now, Oshiomhole’s true essence is in bold relief for all to see. He will be remembered as a comrade who conned his way into power by pretending to be a man of the people. He will be remembered as a man who forcefully retired a political godfather only to quickly turn himself into another godfather – and was in turn forcefully retired by his own political godson. He is not the first; neither will he be the last. We must now turn our attention fully to the man who vanquished Goliath (no pun intended). Will he stay humble or likewise turn into a monster? The drum is beating. Obaseki is dancing. The people are watching.
Victor Anazonwu, a journalist and historian, is author of The 8 Habits of Highly Ineffective People (amazon.com 2019) and two other books.
