What played out in the just concluded elections in Edo State, could be characterized into: episodic events; from the rifts between the Deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu. The fall out between Philip Shuaibu and his principal Obaseki, could be traced as one the fundamental indices that determined the victory and loss of the two major contestants of the election.
By Adekunle Alaye
In the words of the former British Prime Minister and elder state man (Spencer Churchill) “Democracy, even though is the worst form of government, remains the best among its peers.”
The above aphorism of this great European politician, has no doubt cleared air on the hullabaloo that were indiscriminately associated with the just concluded elections in one of the South South States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Edo State.
I heard someone talking about rigging in the just concluded election. Oh Rigging! Sincerely, this has indisputably become obsolete and stale in its entirety, as one of the crude strategies that politicians often explore to influence and disrupt the smooth flow of electrons in the country.
The just concluded election in Edo State, should be viewed beyond rigging. Rather it was an exercise engulfed with three major factors: Greed of Political gladiators, especially as played out by the incumbent governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Godfaterism and Patrimonial Politics.
Ironically, the same Obaseki, earned the sympathy of the good people of Edo State in the 2020 gubernatorial election, against his principal, Adams Oshiomhole, whom presumably by the people of Edo State and Nigerians at large, was “power drunk and greedy.”
However, if a very rich survey is conducted as to establish a comparative analysis of the most greedy one between the two (Obaseki and his principal Oshiomhole), whom allegedly installed him as the governor of Edo State, in 2020 elections, I am sure such hypothetical views would reflect the correct answer as expected.
What played out in the just concluded elections in Edo State, could be characterized into: episodic events; from the rifts between the Deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu. The fall out between Philip Shuaibu and his principal Obaseki, could be traced as one the fundamental indices that determined the victory and loss of the two major contestants of the election.
Again, the Greed and suspected enthusiasm of Obaseki becoming a Political Godfather in Edo State, was no doubt, one of the cardinal factors that led to the defeat of Ighodalo and the PDP. Just like the extension of what played out against the APC in the 2020 gubernatorial election in the state.
Not at all, no one should finger rigging as a core factor in the election at all. In fact, the rigging played less than 5% of the factors responsible for the victory of the APC and its candidate.
We all know that non of the Nigerian politicians can come out boldly to deny rigging as their antics during elections but the smartest rigger usually win the race. But again, no unpopular politician or contestant can rig any election successfully except, such still earns a certain figments of popularity.
I conclude this article by saying that the just concluded Edo State gubernatorial election was richly encapsulated with a whole lot of lessons, for not just the politicians alone but Nigerians at large.
Power is transient
Power is ephemeral and
Power is consistently inconsistent.
God bless Nigeria!
•Adekunle Alaye, PhD, writes from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
•Opinions, positions or thoughts expressed here are personal and strictly of the writers/authors and not The Daily Crucible.
