With the recent happenings in the political space of South-South/South East, in fact, Nigeria entirely, the obtainable lesson is increasingly becoming evident that; you can’t replace the godfathers you displaced.
One fundamental item we keep ignoring when the political rulers get entangled in the fix of godfatherism, come wailing about their adversity as a result of eventual victimization to curry our sympathy, is that these people are not necessarily averse to ‘godfatherism’ per say, they merely sought to replace the current players on the throne.
For the past few years, we’ve witnessed events of political conflicts between former protégés and sponsors almost reduced to a fisticuffs. In most of these cases, the citizenry tilt in favour of the perceived “oppressed”, who often cloaks himself in the guise of constitutional piety only to attract sympathy and secure supports and eventual votes. Often times than not, the former sponsors, whom the people by now have come to see as “king Herold” lose the battle to his former “boy”, and the people cheers ‘victory for democracy’.
There’s been a long unabated acrimony between His excellency, Godwin Obaseki and His Excellency, Comrade Adams Oshiomole as it concerns the governorship seat of Edo state, a seat Obaseki occupied on the back of Adams Oshiomole.
In 2007, Adams stood against the characters of Osunbor, Anenih and the PDP godfathers of Edo, he campaigned against “godfatherism” in the state, and eventually secured victory in 2008. But subsequent events proved him a man of double standard as he tried to replace what he fought against, the rule of nature has embarrassed him today by telling him; you can’t replace what you displaced.
Obaseki appear to have done a good job of riding on the principle of Emotional Intelligence to coast to victory in the Edo State gubernatorial election of 2020, an election that attracted the attention of the entire nation, including the active involvement of the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike. Time remains the greatest tester of every man. Today Obaseki has campaigned outrightly against godfatherism and he has won, based on that.
It is comprehensible to benefit from a seeming unhealthy pattern for the intent of bringing about an end to that pattern. His greatest test as a man/politician will come in the next four years when it will be time for the seat to be occupied by another. The events of today will propel interest and attention come four years time.
A tweet emanating from the governor of Rivers State is in circulation about his brag of defeat of godfatherism in Rivers State and now Edo state. Some months ago, the Rivers state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held it’s congress, the highhandedness that characterized that event is a public knowledge, including the exclusion of a section of the party members perceived to be loyal to the former state chairman of the party, Bro. Felix Obuah.
Come 2023, the events of 19th September 2020 and his boast in Edo State will speak against Gov. Wike should he not allow the members of the PDP chose their flag bearer.
We’ve witnessed and read the occurrence of perceived ‘anti godfatherism’ in Edo State, Rivers State, Imo State, Anambra state, Zamfara state, Kano State etc, it’s all well and good. When the time comes and these players attempt to perpetrate what they’ve blatantly spoken against today, we’ll be here to remind them that you can’t replace what you displaced.
My name is Stella Gift Oriji and I come in peace!