The Electorate, Oshiomhole’s Choice And Matters Arising -By Muhammad D. Eibo Adanu

Governor Adams Oshiomhole

In eleven months from now, the government of Comrade Adams A Oshiomhole will come to an end. Edos will decide who succeeds the action governor, impeccable Adams; one of those who saw to the emergence of APC as a ruling party against all odds. By that time, a new helmsman will be in control of Edo State. Fortunately and unfortunately, it would not be our revered and un-intimidated and ever belligerent former NLC President in the history of NLC where Nigerian workers did not suffer unjust massive sack as if is the order of the day in today’s NLC.

Since the ever courageous, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole left the NLC, it appears that Nigerian workers are now orphans, because the massive sack by the DISCOS operators across the country would have been resisted by the man who championed the cause of the workers passionately, same atmosphere is gathering momentum in Edo politics as question is being asked whether his successor will be as competent enough to build on the legacies already laid by the soulmate governor. As many gubernatorial aspirants want to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC), apparently to benefit from the benevolence of the Comrade Governor. But the big question is; will Comrade’s formidable legacies be sustained and enhanced?

Though, a lot of these aspirants and their supporters desire the Action Governor to stay away from the choice of who succeeds him. Hence, the wild rumour that Governor Oshiomhole has already anointed a particular governorship aspirant. Some party members are already threatening that any attempt by the governor to foist any candidate on the party would be resisted at all costs. But the Adams we know will never foist a candidate on them, but his candid recommendation and suggestion is paramount and pivotal that the Edos should not hesitate to embrace it without delay.
Hence, the governor’s recent address on APC party leadership in Benin City on Thursday, January 14 to be precise, explains it all; that he can be trusted, as he made it categorically clear that there was no anointed candidate. “All aspirants will go through the party primary as contained in the party’s constitution’’. This assertion has put to rest, the rumours and insinuations from some quarters, especially those who are hell-bent on giving our venerated governor a bad name. All the aspirants can now go about their political activities without the fear that their efforts would end up in futility.

However, there are lingering questions among true democrats: does being a governor remove one’s constitutional rights to support any political aspirant? In this meticulous case, does being a governor stop the buddy governor from exercising his rights as a citizen of Edo to vote for a particular aspirant of his choice? These are questions begging for answers?

Comrade Governor is better positioned to know who has the competence and qualifications and the while withal to lead Edo State to the promise land. Should the Comrade Governor not have a say of his successor? Should he be unconcerned to the character of his successor? By the way, why are people running to APC to contest and benefit from the governor’s legacies but insist that he should be neutral, why? It beats one’s imagination that those who are beating the TOM-TOM of war also have their preferred aspirants they are supporting but at the same time do not want the governor to exercise his rights. What sarcasm?

Adams Oshiomhole, for the past seven years, set a standard that whoever is coming after him, cannot afford to go below. Veteran journalist Alhaji Usman Abuda puts it this way: “A lot of Nigerians do not know the meaning of godfather; it does not mean you impose somebody but mentoring someone to believing your idea and passion about some particular issues and you identify someone who can carry-on those ideas for you.
It either now or never for the good people of Edo State to think beyond now and put the interest of State first on choosing who takes over from the Comrade Governor come November 12, 2016. The Adams successor must be a person who shares the same vision of commitment and selfless service to the people like the Adam’s. The question here would be; how do we classify such a person in the present situation, when most of the political elites are egotistical? This is where the intelligence of the Comrade Governor becomes essential; hence the need for him to play a major role is crucial.

The turnaround of Benin City before the arrival the Comrade Governor is enough testimony/ reason why adequate consultations must be made particularly from the stakeholder inclusive of Adams Aliyu O. as his over seven years as the governor positions him above all the political gladiators in the State and he is in a better position to know who among them who is development-driven; among those who are self-seeking for power and wealth and those who truly care and want to serve not to be served.

Mohammed D. Eibo Adanu SMS 08053954802 Email.mohammedeibo2014@gmail.com wrote in from Kaduna