₦airaland Forum

THE MAKING OF A COMRADE TYRANT

“Tyranny is the exercise of some power over a man, which is not warranted by law, or necessary for the public safety. A people can never be deprived of their liberties, while they retain in their own hands, a power sufficient to any other power in the state.”
― Noah Webster

Those times of renewed belief and hope, of masses-centered activism, of galvanizing the power of the people and making us proud that we must retain the right to choose our leaders, as acted out by a then endearing Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, feel like a previous life time.

For the people of Edo State, who joined the victory march with our then Comrade governor, around the streets of Benin, chanting slogans like; “One man, one vote!” and “No Godfather in Edo State!” it was indeed an indication that the painful days where leaders were imposed on us were finally over. The citizens of Edo State yearned for a Moses that would take us out of the slavery that had become the order of the day and found one in the former labour union chairman. With so much energy, ingenuity and oratory, Oshiomhole was able to dethrone an increasingly powerful cabal that had held the state to ransom and brought the citizens to their knees.

But like it is said, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” After enjoying governorship for eight years, and then marketing the incumbent Obaseki to Edo people, Oshiomhole is now beginning to show the face of a tyrant. Tyrants are not born, they are made. Power has the tendency to disillusion even the most well-meaning with an over bloated sense of belief. From riding into the corridors of power on the strength of the people, he now believes that he knows who must govern Edo State better than the electorate.

His excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki has been performing creditably. In two and a half years, he has been able to entrench the dividends of democracy by making sure that erstwhile godfathers and political jobbers become less relevant in the running of the state. In a demonstration of his famed astuteness and business acumen, he has been able to steadily grow the internally generated revenue of Edo State while limiting wastages and inefficiency in the system. So, much of our lean resources that was being used to line the pockets of a privileged few are now being channeled to provide needs for the masses.

Little wonder Obaseki is highly loved by the people. From market women to students, to transporters, to civil servants, to pensioners, to farmers, to entrepreneurs, and so forth, the story is the same. In running the affairs of the state, the governor has shown that the interests of the people must come first. The people of Edo State appreciate Obaseki’s efforts and how he has positively affected all key sectors of the economy. It is without a doubt that they would willingly vote the governor to manage the affairs of Edo State for a second term. But some selfish power brokers do not want it so.

Much estranged from the day to day happenings of Edo State due to his responsibilities as the national manager of affairs of his political party, Oshiomhole has lately been exhibiting a complete bereftness of virtues he once stood for.

Having tasted political power from the very seat of power in Abuja, that evil spirit that inevitably corrupts people in the centre seems to have possessed our former governor. What the people want no longer matter. The former Comrade governor wants to squalor in the comforts of the national capital and remote-control the affairs of Edo State at the same time. Is he going back to his vomit? How can he be at forefront of rebuilding disenfranchising hegemonies he once destroyed? He once told the good citizens of Edo State that there would be no more godfatherism in Edo politics. Maybe having mixed with the likes of Tinubu, he now believes that he too can become the Jagaban of Edo State – he who must have the state governor and the state treasury in his pocket.

Gradually, Oshiomhole is carefully unhatching a plot to frustrate and defame the efforts of Governor Obaseki and ensure the incumbent does not earn a second tenure. Having the ears of the president, with access to heads of national parastatals, the Comrade cum Tyrant is systematically deploying his federal might to enthrone that which he once dethroned.

Fortunately, Edo is not Lagos. It was the docility and naivety of the people of Lagos that allowed the rise and rise of the Jagaban. But the days when state budgets and allocations were endorsed in one man’s sitting room are not too distant in the memories of the Edo people. We must not be dragged back into the shackles of godfatherism.

The famed philosopher, Sophocles, wrote: “A city which belongs to just one man is no true city.”

The power to decide who governs Edo State must be left to her citizenry and not to the whims of a despot in the making. We enjoin the good people of Edo State to rise up to the challenge as sponsored elements of the Comrade Tyrant are emboldened to speak in heightening tones, crying wolf when there is none. These are naysayers, detractors and political harlots whose desires are farthest away from the interests of the masses.

As these nefarious agents seek to gain ground, we must not be caught napping. We must match every mistruth, every propaganda, every false accusation, with the reality of the yearnings of the people. Let us not take the impressive, accountable and transparent governance we are enjoying under Obaseki for granted.

In one of his works, a notable writer, G.K. Chesterton said: “The wisest thing in the world is to cry out before you are hurt. It is no good to cry out after you are hurt; especially after you are mortally hurt. People talk about the impatience of the populace; but sound historians know that most tyrannies have been possible because men moved too late. It is often essential to resist a tyranny before it exists.”

Let us nip this emerging tyranny in its bud. The Comrade Tyrant is already causing problems for his political party in several states across Nigeria. Because of his authoritarian methods, the APC has lost ground in erstwhile strongholds and party leaders are openly castigating his person and his motives. Edo must not be dragged into a similar mess.

Say no to godfatherism in Edo State.

Godwin Obaseki works for the people of Edo State and not for a few selfish individuals.

Say no to the Comrade Tyrant Adams Oshiomhole.

Let’s Go Further Together with Governor Godwin Obaseki.

OMG! God will NEVER forgive the adults that brainwashed them and sent them on a suicide mission.

freedomosjw:
Imagine. Ordinary to sponsor bill for house of assembly dem no fit. Na these ones naim want to manage state affairs. God forbid!

It is so terrible the way Orbih handles himself and PDP affairs. His lack of nous and habitual uncouthness is such an embarrassment. Sponsoring a proper bill to the House of Assembly is really a very straightforward process. Yet he still managed to bungle it. SMH

Edo PDP/Dan Orbih always displaying their crass incompetence

This is equivalent to modern day slavery. Yet we go dey curse white men for treating us as slaves. Until we respect ourselves, no one will respect us

oomngsvr:
Ordinary N800 million? Una no dey see Orbih belle. Even if him swallow N30 billion sef e nor go reach.

Dat Orbih belle go swallow state budget like say na gala

babakay4you:
O boy d formula no work again o, Orbih is a kolobist

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okosunehis:
Sadly, it is people like you that have not learned anything from the PDP years in Edo State. You say APC is evil, yet align yourself with a devilish party and an unserious fellow like Orbih who half the time speaks like someone just let out of Uselu. APC is evil yet they have brought development to Edo state and Edo people unlike the bastardization of our senses and resources that thrived under PDP. What your PDP did during the LG elections was just to save their face from an outright loss because the verdict of Edo people was very obvious. APC has brought light to Edo State and the people have been liberated from PDP darkness. No right thinking person will go back to darkness after enjoying light. But not everybody is right thinking so I am not at all surprised by you and your likes.

Oga why nauw, u dey vex o

“Delta State must not remain behind, but follow in the progress being achieved in Edo State, where things are working. Let us unite to return our states to the leading position in the country.”

Delta wake up, Edo is fast leaving you behind. Embrace progress and change, embrace APC or be forever held in the lootocracy of PDP

“We have the assurances of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to ensure a level playing ground for all political parties during the election. The stage is set, all political parties should follow the laid down rules and market their plans to Edo people.”

ONE MAN, ONE VOTE! Say no to violence, say no to election malpractice.

PDP will never learn. After losing serially, they still want to test the resolve of the Edos. SHAME!

Thumbs up @GovernorObaseki
This is a real governor, he not only talks, but walks the talk

RIP. So sad