Edo is one of the States in the South-Southern geopolitical Zone. It polity seems similar to that of Rivers State which is in the same Zone where Godfatherism seem to be Persistently raising its ugly head except for the decision of the people who are the sole determinants,of which are won over by the smartest in the game but what could the antics and tactics be? Discreet follow-up and keen observation have presented some fact to hold,tell and brag about.


*ANTICS*

Recall the rapport between the erstwhile Governor of Edo State and the First National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC),Chief John Odigie Oyegun and the former Labor Leader,Comrade Adams Oshiomole and the former Governor of Edo State until things begin to turn out bad for the duo. Chief Oyegun who felt he contributed hugely for the success of the Adams Oshiomole administration and an elder statesman shouldn't be disregarded neither treated with disdain. Comrade Oshiomole who was uncultured politically began making a parade of toes stepping. He was prevalent in the act that he was able to present Godwin Obaseki as Governor and delivered him against the wish of the bigwigs who were then in support of the Pastor Ize-Iyamu in 2016.


Inasmuch as,"you cannot  give that which you do not have", "you should not desire that which you do not give". Comrade Adams Oshiomole did not pay much attention to that though Chief Oyegun's relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari was knitting strands of wigs...

One was solidifying on a National Ground while the other was busy throwing tantrums with the hope of the support of the grassroots but that is the hope of one who could not keep the Party and eventually shown the way-out.

How it hurts to be disappointed,but what will you do to a boomerang?


Upon the perception of insubordination by Governor Godwin Obaseki,the Comrade decided to prove a vivid point to the Governor. Maybe a reminder,I sent you there. Gov. Obaseki felt there is no point leaving while he have not been sent but as if his thoughts were read,the Screening Committee for the All Progressive Congress showed him the way out by disqualifying him from the race.With that,he would not be able to participate in the Primaries because his position as an incumbent was oppressing.The  decision of the Screening Panel was considered by many Nigerians as juvenile because he is already flying the Party flag,why was he not disqualified in 2016? If the disqualification was not political. It went ahead to display desperation from the Comrade Adams Oshiomole APC loyalist faction who are in control of the State Executives of the party and probably the chiefest reason for the boast. Many people are of the believe that the affirmation of suspension of Adams Oshiomole by the Court of Appeal on June 16,2020 shortly after Gov. Obaseki's disqualification was a retaliatory step by a newly positioned Godfather,Chief Oyegun- the big fish meant for   National water,not the ponds nor the local rivers. 

Chief (Hon.) Victor Giadom who was the Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress after the confirmation of the Appellate Court on the suspension of Adams Oshiomole is a member of the loyal faction to Oyegun is supposedly to ring a bell in addition also to the zeal he exibited during his short Office stay.


Governor Godwin Obaseki being under a new mentoring alien to the previous 'gra-gra' must have been advised not to challenge the decision in the Court of Competent Jurisdiction because it could be time wasting for his victory and offend the people of who might feel he is deliberately delay the election by the Court tussle because the Independent National Electoral Commission would be of almost no choice but to await the decision of the Court before the conduct of the election- the period for the Governor to be demarketed. In wisdom he yielded,he decided to exit the party.Best described,it was a swap. 

Pastor Ize-Iyamu Nicodemusly found himself in the All Progressives Congress and miraculously Obaseki in the Peoples Democratic Party.

What was instructional is the visit of Gov. Obaseki to the Leader of the Party,President Muhammadu Buhari who statutorily commands the respect the very day he got his Nomination form and the  Declaration of Interest form in the APC before he was forced out not forgetting the attempts of the "Comrade Godfather" to prevent him from meeting the President but not when Oyegun is close by,that is his space-this is some national struggle not the State or Local Government affairs. The relationship between Chief Oyegun and the Secretary of The Government of the Federation,Boss Mustapha is one that begs for attention.On the other hand,the adopted candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the State was not adopted by the higher realm- the National. Though he threw his "umbrella" during the rains and went for the "broom",though he went round plying and flying the party flag,he was yet to meet the President and Statutory Leader of the party. He acted on faith,strong faith indeed.

Putting to practice what he must have taught but *"if the foundation be faulty what can the righteous do?"*


The gruesome naming calling and tagging vanished and they begin to smile with each other,going round the State with the final resort to Kneel before the toes once stepped upon. It is  indeed shameful,how the relationship between Adams Oshiomole and Godwin Obaseki went down the trail. Obaseki is said to the best man as Oshiomole remarried after the demise of his wife. What about the rainy day they went for Campaigns for Obaseki in 2016,that prominently Baba Oshio and Obaseki along with other teams members got some corn and munching while they trekked. All those moments gone because of politics,now how will Adams Oshiomole raise his eyes to behold Goodwin Obaseki? What will be of Pastor Ize-Iyamu?


*TACTICS*

It is most evident that a lot of anti-party played out in the September 19 Edo Polls. The APC faction loyal to Chief Oyegun are solely share in this accusations. It is believed that the body language of Mr President towards the APC aspirant,Pastor Ize-Iyamu does not seem supportive of his candidature. That have been the rumor around town and in furtherance to validating such,it took a whole lot of time for Ize-Iyamu to gain access to the Presidency despite the fact of being in the same Party. Upon his visit to President Buhari,Boss Mustapha who is the Secretary of the Government of the Federation said they had to find it necessary to compel the President to receive Ize-Iyamu. That statement confirmed the suspicion.


The outcry of Chief (Hon.) Victor Giadom over the restriction of the movement of Governor Nyesome Wike,a governor with immunity is an infringement on the constitution and could be seen as a treasonable act in his exact words. He stood firm until the restrictions were lifted and to further crown his persistence with the love of legality,he said he is an APC Chieftain and would not be party of illegality.That statement is supposed to be taken as it came but only if we decide not to read meanings. 

The likes of Dr. Patrick Okowa of Delta State and Nyesome Wike of Rivers State were fully on ground to show a new brother how long and how far they could stand for him and by him. The Peoples Democratic Party in desperation for more especially now that they have been relegated to the opposition. Secondly,the aspirant of the All Progressives Congress does not seem to be the accepted one thus the edge Governor Godwin Obaseki had over Pastor Ize-Iyamu.


The chances of Governor Godwin Obaseki remaining in the PDP is almost impossible though speculations have it that he might remain in the PDP for some time to console  the efforts of Okowa & Wike whose efforts cannot be waved away. 

One thing is certain,Governor Godwin Obaseki will surely return home-the APC said an APC Chieftain in Plateau State.

The recent visit of Governor Godwin Obaseki to President Muhammadu Buhari with Comrade Philip Shuaibu is beating drums for music yet unheard...One may wonder the outcome of the Court should it be that Ize-Iyamu decides to challenge the outcome of the election in Court. Remember,he was said to be studying the results with his team and would let his decision known.

By all indications,should the aspirant of the APC challenge the outcome,it would be an effort in futility.


The Peoples Democratic Party should in no regard think it easy to return to power because of the Edo 2020 Polls because that will be self mockery. It the long run,it was a contest between APC versus APC,Adams Oshiomole versus John Oyegun. With that,it will never be such easy task as speculated already. Godwin Obaseki may return to deliver Edo State to the APC in 2023!

That might be a shocker but we all await while we watch. 


In all these,the strengthening of Institutions will be healthy for our Democracy.


Comrade GONET GODMAN.


(The view or opinions presented above are exclusively mine and does not represent that of any Group/s i represent).