Election: How Obaseki eroded goodwill like Aregbesola

It was a carnival-like atmosphere after the people had cast their ballot. Men, women, boys, girls, elderly and not too elderly trooped to the streets jubilating. This scene was replicated across the state capital. Love was unmistakably in the air. At a place called Arugba Cycle, was a sprawling electronic bill board where election results […]

It was a carnival-like atmosphere after the people had cast their ballot. Men, women, boys, girls, elderly and not too elderly trooped to the streets jubilating. This scene was replicated across the state capital. Love was unmistakably in the air. At a place called Arugba Cycle, was a sprawling electronic bill board where election results were displayed. A large crowd gathered there while the DJ entertained them with different songs. The people have spoken and they wanted the Federal Government to respect their wish.

The above painted scenario is not from a movie scene, but from Osun State in 2014. The love for Aregbesola was strong. Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan who was going for reelection the following year wanted to test waters with the Osun governorship election. Hence, a lot of resources were mobilized for Senator Iyiola Omisore who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. But the people of Osun stood solidly behind Aregbesola who got a second term. As I left the state capital that Sunday morning, I saw hundreds of people heading for the thank-you rally organised by Aregbesola. The man was indeed popular.

AREGBESOLA: FROM HERO VILLAIN

Four years after that show of love, Aregbesola had become so unpopular that it took the All Progressives Congress (APC) abracadabra for the party to retain the state. Although the court ruled that APC won that election, words on the street were that the people freely gave their mandate to the PDP. Aregbesola became so unpopular during his latter days in office that he could have been stoned if he took a walk on the street.

Gboyega Oyetola, who succeeded Aregbesola after the APC magic, undid most of his policies. He didn’t want the people of Osun to link him with Aregbe, alias Baba Kabiru, as he was fondly called, but they probably still had their grouse and denied Oyetola a second term.

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In 2020, the Edo electorate queued up behind Governor Godwin Obaseki who like Aregbesola, was up against the federal might. Through the mantra, ‘Edo no be Lagos’, the people mobilized heavily for the outgoing governor. Many felt Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who helped Obaseki to power, was out for a pound of flesh after the duo fell out. Obaseki was, or perhaps painted the picture of the underdog, and trust the masses, they always side with underdogs. The more the APC camp hit Obaseki, the more popular he became. They tried to stop him from picking APC gubernatorial ticket, he moved to the PDP through the support of men like Dan Orbih, Nyesom Wike and others, but no sooner had Obaseki achieved his aim than a fresh war began.

OBASEKI STEPPED ON TOES

Many residents of Edo did not forgive Obaseki after he demolished a General Hospital to erect a museum and level the State library for ShopRite, in this age where education and technology is driving development. His demolition of over 1,000 buildings around Sapele road for construction works further raised eyebrows among the affected residents.

Obaseki promised Edolites a seaport which never saw light of the day. Despite being among the first governors to approve N70,000 minimum wage for civil servants in the country, PDP lost in Obaseki’s Oredo Local Government Area which is seen as the heart of Edo workforce among the three councils that make up the metropolis. The other two are Egor and Ikpoba Okha.

Obaseki locked horns with Oba of Benin and banned Okaighele (community youth leaders). The Palace had kicked against the ban, saying Okaighele represents a segment of the aged-long Benin traditional administrative structure.

“Okaighele didn’t start in this Century. As you have age grades, and senior sons, so we have them. When Odionwere (village head) is appointed by the Oba, Okaighele assist the Odionwere in the daily administration of the domain on daily basis,” Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin, who spoke on behalf of the revered monarch, had said, while resisting the government’s action.

But Obaseki stood his ground, saying Okaighele and cultists pose “severe threat” to the security and stability of the state.

ENCOUNTER WITH OBASEKI

I was among a group of editors who met Obaseki in the buildup to the 2020 election. It was a one-on-one session. No air; no protocols, the governor was down to earth and related as if we were his childhood friends. Because of his tight schedule, the meeting was moved to 2am. Obaseki collected bottles of wine and passed it to his guests, often cracking jokes, the governor said, ‘Gentlemen, I need your help.’ He asked everyone in that meeting, about 15 of us, to offer him advice and give survival tips, which he took and gave feedback.

On the rift with Oshiomhole, Obaseki had said, “Oshiomhole showed me to Edo people and they thanked him for that. When he started having problem with me, he brought another person, but this time around, the people said, ‘Thank you, you have shown us this one already. We are fine with him.”

Observing the countenance of one of the editors, Obaseki asked, “O boy, what’s the issue na? Why you frown face like this?” The man explained that he needed to catch some rest ahead of next day’s production, but Obaseki interrupted saying, “My man relax. Work nor dey finish o! Relax, life sweet; just relax.”

Another editor raised the issue of the unavailability of flights to Lagos the next day. Jocularly, Obaseki responded saying, “Don’t worry, I won’t clear any flight from Benin airport tomorrow. Governor get power ooo, abi you no know?”

OFONE!

That encounter flashed through my mind after watching one of the viral videos in this Edo election season. In the 1 minute clip which made the rounds during collation, Obaseki’s rivals were seen drinking and rejoicing perhaps knowing the doom that would soon befall their common enemy.

Johnson Agbonayima, former House of Representative member; Tony Kabaka, an APC youth leader in Edo. former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, Bar. Aslem Ojezua, former APC Chairman, were all in that video. Midway into the clip titled Ofone, an Edo word for: ‘It’s over!’, Shaibu said, “Na God get power!”

I thought to myself if Obaseki had cracked that same joke with his former deputy about how powerful governors were or his actions towards his estranged number two man showed power. Whatever the case might be, the point has been made. I showed that video to my wife as she made her way from the kitchen into the dinning room and she said, “Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! May our enemy never mock us!”, to which I said a resounding, “Amen!” Ofone!!!!!