Edo 2024 Election: Unfolding intrigues, suspense and the tale of the Godwins

     Map of Edo State

By Bernadette Idalu

The upcoming Edo State governorship election slated for September 21, 2024, is bound to be interesting in the eyes of the populace due to the focus on the All Progressives Congress, APC; and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, based on claims that such entry into Government House, Dennis Osadebe Avenue, the political seat of governance, is propelled by their reliance on federal or state might. 

The "Emi l'okan" (It is my turn) entitlement spirit might be real but does not hold sway in Edo State. Candidates have to earn the trust of the populace. It is no longer ideal to interact with your constituents after a four year sojourn; they are tired of receiving handouts and promissory notes. People want you to tick the bucket list at hand to show promises kept. Who needs to view or trace digital footprints of work done (audio infrastructures) when you can point at tangible real life projects that one can identify and relate with? 

No one is hoodwinked this time around, the masses watch politicians with keen interest as they savage one another live on social and traditional media and at other foras using legal or underhand gladiatorial warfare tactics. Attention is beamed on those claimed to be dense candidates said to posses speech flaws, they point out the inability of others to communicate in their mother tongue, voice out on those with questionable source of wealth, aside digging up and pointing to the possession of poor academic grades to make owners seem unfit for the number one position in the state instead of just marketing themselves and what they have to offer the people of the state.

Funny enough, most people are not swayed by the unfolding repetitive scenario which replays itself every election year, people tell you straight up, "Na dem-dem" (Dog eat dog scenario). They are clearly at the round one stage of a boxing bout, where the boxers are all energetic, prancing round the arena till their energy dissipates and they begin to focus more at the job at hand in successive rounds.

Whenever politics is mentioned, aside the associated money issues, coming together of people of diverse family, ethnic or educational background and the inadvertent disagreement and resort to violence, what else comes to mind? Betrayals, lying perhaps? Hmm.

Videos are already being shared of private conversations, of group interactions on shared ideologies and decisions taken. This brings me to the US based, Edo centred influencer, Mega Comrade Clement Eranomigho Edegbe who savages the APC and its candidate, accusing them of putting him into "Igbese" (debt) despite identifying himself as a party member. He calls out some personalities constantly in the party, mentioning on those who got car gifts but did not deliver on the political front. He is up to date with issues happening back home, he has screenshots to show names and conversations between  those he claimed masterminded his exit from the APC steering committee platform. He shows proof. He said he had two spies on the platform who contacted him voluntarily, updated him on decisions taken at the state committee level. He said the informants needed direction as they did not trust the direction and tilt of other members.

During a live chat on YouTube, a lady who got a scoop excitedly called in to update on her findings of how members of an online social media force group of influencers recently got two million naira each for disseminating political ideologies. Eranomigho cut the conversation, stating that, that money meant nothing, as the boys were working and delivering. He observed sarcastically that as soon as the bigwig politician they worked for assumed office, there was this likelihood of cutting off the boys, refusing to pick their calls thereafter. He said this was a job creation effort, people should let the influencers be.

This is happening in a town steeped in and reeling from acute poverty, hunger and disease. There are growing numbers of people passing out from sheer hunger, their immunities have become weak. Presently, the masses are resorting to self medication, reliance on drug prescriptions by chemists instead of walking into a hospital to seek the services of specialists. There is an increased use of herbal remedies as cure for simple illnesses. Sadly, there are reports of rising mortality rates, increasing incidents of avoidable deaths and health complications arising from use of fake drugs, wrong dosage or use of medications. 

The high cost of treatment by medical facilities in Benin is an issue, registration of a new outpatient is mostly pegged at five thousand naira. For medical health emergencies one has to deposit at least fifty thousand naira before treatment commences.

Thankfully, the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme, EDOHIS, came to phase out anomalies and make medical care pocket friendly, right? Government needs to monitor closely to guide the system's management's efforts to save lives. Take in this scenario- an Edo State health insurance enrollee tried to access the allotted medical facility at, "The Hills Hospital," Limit Road, Benin City, during a medical emergency on the night of April 16, 2024 but could not due to the claimed disengagement of said facility from the insurance scheme, one week down, as at the time the enrollee walked in. The enrollee watched helplessly when informed that the hands of the medical facility was tied as they could not render any form of treatment at that stage, save perhaps, a fresh registration is made as a new patient. The health insurance scheme moved out without sending any notice to the enrollee. Even the hospital staff on duty at the reception had no information at hand with which to direct the patient to new allotted facility. This clearly is a system failure that needs a quick fix. Surely, we need people alive and healthy to vote.

As people receive millions for influencing and moulding the opinion of others, there is also the need to create jobs and make life meaningful for those labeled as non staff who earn as low as ten thousand naira as sundry allowance for job done for a month in government establishments. These people react based on events  affecting them directly and not on claims and hearsays. This is not down playing on the roles of those who earn as low as ten to twenty five thousand naira monthly as sweepers or handy persons, a stark reality as against the rosy background and declaration by government as at January 29, 2024, of generating good money through use of internally generated revenue, IGR, channels. It declared the collection of sixty two billion naira (#62B) for year 2023, which showed a growth index of seventeen billion naira as against earnings for year 2022. 

Even when you cannot relate with the idea of people living in penury in the midst of plenty, like the proverbial washing of the hands with spittle while a river flows in your backyard, people have learnt to keep silent to fit into the system to prevent being hit by superiors who like boxers have learnt to move with the tide, directing punches to the head, chin, the sides of the jaw, the temples and even the ribs of offenders or opponents, hoping for a clinical knock out. The boss who has superior advantage and authority only has to do a couple of feet shuffling, spins, acute delivery of punches at set target or person, with due moral support of other subordinates to keep floating like the iconic late Mohammed Ali, who in his heyday was identified as one of the greatest sports persona of all time aside being an activist.

Ali became famous for trash-talking and free-styling with rhyme schemes and spoken word poetry, predicting the round at which he would knockout his opponents. While responding to an interview before his 1964 fight with Sonny Liston, he was asked how he would approach the bout with the “unbeatable” world heavyweight champion, and he famously responded, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," his words remain stuck to memory. Nonetheless, there is a growing tendency for people to hide their insecurities by gaslighting or trash talking on others trying to mess with their mental health to make them loose their self control and comportment. You have to experience it to understand the concept.

Even when the political umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has yet to flag off the boxing or public campaign process till Wednesday, April 24, 2024, there is excitement in the air. People are viewing with keen interest the released list of seventeen candidates, their running mates and resumes to wit. Unfortunately, Hon. Philip Shaibu did not make the list despite repeated assurances to fans and followers.

Though people guessed at the possible outcome of his feud wirh his boss, however, suspense had no mate when legislators conglomerated at the hallowed chambers of the Edo State House of Assembly, EDHA, for plenary where they impeached Hon. Philip Shaibu, making him clock the records book as the first deputy governor to be impeached in the history of Edo State. He got chalked off on April 8, 2024. This action followed the adoption of the report by the seven men investigative panel set up by the assembly to probe allegations of misconduct levelled against him.

Suspense shifted into an adrenaline rush when on said day, the EDHA went further to confirm Mr. Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as the deputy governor-designate. Not done, on same day, the oath of office got administered on him by the state's Chief Judge, CJ, Justice Daniel Okungbowa. Government observed that they took this decision based on the fact that there is no vacuum in nature or in office.

 

Though Reuben Abati opined that the failure of Shaibu to adhere to the dictates of the "48 Laws of Power" written by the American author Robert Greene was largely responsible for the political predicament faced by him, he postulated that if these were adhered to, the wisdom therein might have guided him to know when to succumb to the will of his principal by collapsing his ambition or quest to succeed his boss, a political feat almost impossible to enact in Nigeria without acrimony. Nonetheless, no one has ever been praised all over the world for abiding by the dictates of the Italian,  Niccolo Machiavelli, based on following the leadership rules in his book, "The Prince."

It must be noted that even in the synopsis of this book, is written, "This famous treatise on statecraft holds such power to shock 'men of goodwill' that at one time Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was identified with Satan himself. In his own turbulent times, however, Machiavelli was concerned, not with lofty ideals, but with government that would last."

Despite the claim that there are no clear rules to judge what stands as gross misconduct, others have argued that the impeachment from the legislative floor was a clear case of personal vendetta targeted at Shaibu, a former legislator at the EDHA due to far reaching decisions  made and carried out on the floor of the house, thus, solidifying the belief in the rule of nature that states, "What goes around, comes around." 

Far from Benin, at Etsako West Local Government Area, where Shaibu hails from, there was a protest by the twelve (12) APC ward leaders and supporters for they matched to their party secretariat, denouncing his alleged planned return to the party. Alhaji Yakubu Musa while presenting the communique at this event, said Shaibu’s exit from the APC in 2020 brought peace and tranquillity to the party, noting that the former deputy governor’s return would bring rancour and disunity to the party.

History is rotating full cycle on it's axis once more, in this Edo State off cycle election at this particular local government based on this denouncement. When on June 20, 2020, Mr. Stephen Oshawo, then APC Chairman of Ward 10, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo state, stated, “The suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the ward executives remains valid,” maintaining that the decision was in the best interest of the party, ward executives, as well as  counterparts at Etsako West Local Government level when he stated that they all stood by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole for his divisive role in the crisis rocking the APC in Edo state, Oshawo clearly, at that time, didn't fully comprehend the meaning of a political boomerang.

With the present denouncement of their son, even when he was yet to make any announcement or wish to be re-absorbed into their political fold, was putting the cart before the horse. A counter communique released by Prince Peter Uwadiae Igbinigie, State Publicity Secretary of the APC, frowned at the above development. Issued at the end of an emergency meeting held on April 12, 2024, he overruled that earlier issued by the Etsako West leaders, ward and local government executives.

Part of the communiqué reads, "Suffice to say therefore, the admission of anybody inclusive of Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu as a member of our great party cannot be stopped, resisted or and obliterated by any organ (s) of the party provided he meets the criteria as embodied in the constitution."

It read further, "These were what informed the National working committee, speaking through the National secretary’s decision to the effect that Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu shall and will be admitted, the moment he makes himself available to be so admitted." 

You might call it mind games but politics is a game of numbers. What about harnessing the energy of disgruntled ones?

Jarret Tenebe, the Acting APC State Chairman even paid a solidarity visit to Mr. Shaibu at his Abuja home to identify with him. But, on an aside note, these two men have chemistry and their fair share of public spats.

As at August 29, 2023, Jarret Tenebe orchestrated the sharing of videos via WhatsApp platforms, on YouTube and other social media handles where he is showed being interviewed as he said he was on his way to submit a petition at the Police Headquarters, Abuja, to the Inspector General of Police, allegedly meant to compel the Edo State Commissioner of Police to mandate Philip Shaibu, then deputy governor, whom he accused of theft, to return his custom built Gold Daytona wristwatch, diamond encrusted with his name, valued at $250,000 back to him, based on the claim that he was seen in possession of this at a public function in the US. He is also known to have accused Shaibu of the prior theft of his Thuraya satellite phone.

Though the then deputy governor did not personally come out to debunk the allegation, visuals of his appearance at the Afemai Congress, with due focus on his hand, got shared which showed him strapping a plain leather wristwatch to his hand at said function. 

When Moses Bliss released the song, "Miracle no dey tire Jesus," in 2023, one would not have imagined that it could be used as a referral point, yet again, in a political situation. I still remember when people jumped and danced to Korede Bello's song, "Godwin'," when it was used in celebration like Diego Maradona's "Hand of God goal" at the 1986 FIFA World Cup during the Argentina versus England quarter finals match.

Even when visuals were not shared to show when and how the present deputy governor crossed over from the Labour Party to the PDP, leading to his emergence as the number two man to watch out for presently in Edo State, a video trended showing Shaibu, all dressed in white, like the celebrant, praying for Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as a younger brother, to surpass him in greatness. Talk of political Fireworks. Old videos used as objects of propaganda, misinformation and disinformation?  

Through a twist of providence and fate, Godwins has put Akoko Edo firmly on the political calendar in Edo State where the plurality of his name, Godwins, could be interpreted to mean a multiple of things.This is interesting, hence the question, "How does it feel working with and being a Godwins at the same time?"

Away from the tale, nowadays, each day unfolds with a new intrigue or conspiracy theory. There is either a claim of a power tussle, an attack or counter attack by a previous boy (Protege) on his political oga (Mentor) to hold unto or wrest power at ward, local government or state level. Already, at local government level in Edo South, chairs are being broken, vehicles vandalized and drinks meant to entertain party leaders and members at an endorsement party of a leader carted away by alleged hoodlums.

Already, there are mass defections and cross carpeting into new or previously labeled bad political enclaves. Such politicians coming back into the APC and PDP folds make profuse public apologies to members for abandoning the party to sojourn in dry or desert lands, journeys which incidentally took them into hallowed chambers at the national or state houses of assemblies and back. Such occasions also afford some of such decampees an opportunity to once more test run their power of oratory, carrying participants on ancestral proverb making whiffs as to why the taste of the kola nuts remains longer in the taste buds of those who value it.

They say you can never tell with a politician but what can you make of a mobilizer who identifies sometimes by the reverend appellation and mingles effortlessly with both the APC and PDP as a leader at the same time?

At the PDP primary election which held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Lawn Tennis Hard Court, on February 22, 2024, he was noticed as he raised his clenched right fist in salutation to youths who identified with him as a leader. He looked good in denim trousers and white T-shirt which had black labeling in front.

There is a repeat performance by the mobilizer on February 23, 2024, at the Labour Party Primary election at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, where he is once more identified as a leader. He appears more discreet though, this time around and is decked in a pearl shade kaftan top and a pair of matching trousers. 

As we step into full swing campaigns, what has remained indelible in the memory were events which played out at the primary election of the PDP. It was action packed, a never seen before occurrence. To gain entry was difficult based on the presence of excited security personnels who told you, "No camera me or else I go break your phone, one hand," (Don't make video recordings of me else I smash your phone.) Everyone was on edge so as not to "collect beating" (Get rough handled.)

Even aspirants had a hard time making entry into the venue. Worthy of note was the attempt by Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi to access the stadium. Some of the sachet gin drinking personnel formed a human barricade at the gate, preventing entry.  Uhomoibhi had no choice than to alight from his vehicle while mouthing out, "I did not quarrel with anybody, why would I be barred from exercising my franchise, my freewill? I am a due contestant here." 

Though one of the security personnel stationed at the gate gave a cynical side comment, "Grammer...na egrish we kon speak for here? E geh lucky say dem nor give us order make we bounce am," (Too much use of grammar, he is lucky we were not directed to turn him back), things later livened up.

Seeing the unfolding altercation, we, a group of journalists made to leave, but, a voice called out to us, "Press men, are you leaving so soon, what we came here for has not started. You are meant to be the eye of the people."

This irked the group, leading to the consequent question, "Who be that?" (Who is that?) haven waited outside for two  straight hours, with our entry tags classed as fakes, no one was in good spirits at that point in time.  He later identifies himself, stating that, Uhomoibhi is his principal. 

He appealed, "My principal, Amb. Uhomoibhi has been denied entry, this is news, it is worthy to be aired" but, he got an unexpected question, in return,  "What about us, we are also denied entry. Is it not also news?"

He offered profuse apologies insisting that we were on the same page. He observed that the candid scene at the scenario ought to be painted in our writeups without sugar coating even at the detriment of life at stake, through use of figurative words, in the absence of the use of cameras to capture the terse moment. This suggestion was met with a scowl and curt retort, "We did not come here to die on the job, we are family people, they await our return. If anything untoward happens, politicians jump into their vehicles and zoom off leaving the journalists at the mercy of the vagaries of nature."

As we talked, the gates got flung open for his principal to enter after due identification. Reason prevailed, and we stayed back. We later gained entry.  Before then, we witnessed thugs being sent back and the trouncing of one when he was caught midair, trying to dive his way into the stadium. It was however peaceful inside the stadium where all entrants got drinks and water to calm frayed nerves after the undue exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays emission from the sun.