The dictatorship in Edo (2)

LAST week, this column dwelt upon the anomaly in Edo State, wherein the Governor has carried on his administration in total contravention of sacred provisions of the Constitution. I was glad to learn later in the course of that week that His Excellency had compiled and forwarded a list of Commissioners and Special Advisers to the House of Assembly of the State for screening and confirmation but this could not be confirmed.

It is however comforting that the feedback from many Nigerians on the topic indicates total rejection of one-man rule by the Governor. The importance of this issue cannot ever be over-emphasized because of its ripple effect on other States of the Federation. In some of the responses that I have received, the failure of the President to constitute his own cabinet many months after he assumed office in May 2015 was alluded to.

However, it is heartbreaking to note that Edo State which is proudly regarded as the Heartbeat of the Nation is also grappling with other issues of compulsory vaccination, demolition of the property of perceived opponents of those in power, high level of seeming intolerance and other undemocratic tendencies. Having regard to the overwhelming support that Governor Godwin Obaseki received from the people of Nigeria in resisting godfatherism in Edo State, he has no reason to disregard the constitution of this land even for one day.

Let me share with you some of the responses, given that a good number of other States are said to be playing along this expired path of dictatorship.

“Juwon Adeyemi:

Edo no be Lagos!!! Edo no be Lagos!!! We now know better.

Ayeh Kootoh:

Juwon Adeyemi Obaseki’s actions are worse than Jagaban. Indeed Edo no be Lagos.

Adetona Abideen Bakare:

My problem with Ebun is that he always mixes up issues. Edo infamy can be discussed without reference to any other state. What is happening in Edo never happened elsewhere. It is brazenly unbecoming.

Babatunde Ajiboye:

 

Dammy Adegoke:

The “Moral Lesson” in all this is to never allow emotional sentiments to cloud one’s reasoning aptitude. The people of Edo failed to grasp this unique ethical value during the last governorship election, by allowing themselves to be emotionally manipulated into giving Obaseki the second term mandate just to spite Oshiomhole. But now nko…..the jokes is on all the gullible Edo voters that were chanting Edo no be Lagos

Ajani Aderemi:

Dammy Adegoke My brother political history in Nigeria and particularly this time shows that head or tail the electorates will always be the loser. Pastor Iyamu the inconsistent alternative is surely going to be worse. The Edos for your information just choose a known devil which is far better.

Akintayo Ayomide Sodiq Hope:

Dammy Adegoke It’s quite unfortunate that affiliation has done greatly in beclouding us from being able to separate politics from administration. This post is progressive and challenging, do well by calling the government to order for the preservation of our democracy and the collective good of the people of Edo State irrespective of your party differences. That will make you a patriotic citizen and progressive member of the state not this you are doing. As if Pastor meant well, as if he couldn’t do the same.

Dammy Adegoke:

Akintayo Ayomide Sodiq Hope:

Dammy Adegoke I understand your point. We can’t continue to dwell in the past and refuse to move on because of ‘our regrettable past actions’. The deed has been done, Obaseki today is the governor, we can’t remove or order another election. We need to learn to live with him and frown at his exercises that are against the document he took oath to preserve. Election is over, let us watch him keenly and criticise his actions and inactions constructively for the love of Edo State.

 

Goodluck Goody Osaretin:

Olumide Emmanuel Awoyemi, The situation in Edo is not dictatorship! Election into EDHA takes place at the same time with the general election, and this can only mean that 2023 is when another election will take place for HoA. There is a functional HoA in Edo but short of full members of 24, and this is because of the “dissident 14” who refused to be inaugurated earlier. The “non-yet cabinet” issue (which I am not in support of) is more of the political party which is hinged on its inability to carry out a true HARMONIZATION of those that defected from the APC earlier.

But all issues are resolved now, and a cabinet is just a few hours away.

Marcel Chinonso:

First of all … Does this country have a Constitution? Does even the President respect the said Constitution or even the rule of law?

Atandare Alanruze:

I hate noise on social media! If he has done what is not constitutional, take him to court…period!

Samuel Olayemi:

Edo no be Lagos indeed. This cannot happen in Lagos. I hope the folks who were shouting “Edo no be Lagos” are now enjoying the fruit of their labour?

 

Olubunmi Martins:

The second part of your treatise is a question for every Nigerian to answer – Who will save us from this dictator? If indeed there has been a breach of the Constitution, what are the routes to secure redress? The legal profession, without being partisan, should be able to provide us with an overview or guide?

Odubore Bukayo:

Oboh Theophilus Otsemeuno:

I often profess that politicians are the same irrespective of the platform they choose to run. This clownish demagogue rode on the false and incongruous anthem of Godfatherism led by Comrade Oshiomhole just because he declined to endorse his candidature. Edo has become a flood zone after every rainfall, his draconian Covid-19 mandatory vaccination or be penalized and his inability to constitute a cabinet is crippling the State. Most NGOS and civil society organisations are mostly concentrated in the center, while the state-based organisations are docile. I pray he yields to the call for action.

Franklin Abiodun Oluwatoye:

Those crying dictatorship are members of oshomole and APC failed administration. Their comments show their DNA, bunch of deceitful failure. Won so fun yon.

Bola Babalola:

Amofin, this is the day of the Jackals.”

The moral of these responses should not be lost on the Peoples Democratic Party, on whose platform the Governor ran and secured his second term mandate. A political organisation should have an identity and work with some policy framework by which certain intolerable conduct will not be condoned. It was common for Chief Obafemi Awolowo to vet the annual budgets of all the UPN Governors to ensure that they reflected the cardinal policies of the party, especially free education. He would then attend the sessions of the State Houses of Assembly to give support. He wanted to honour his campaign promises to the people in the States entrusted to his party, even though he did not secure the national mandate. This is what is expected of the PDP presently and indeed the APC, in case there is any Governor from that party who is yet to constitute his cabinet. Nigeria must move forward.

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