Waiting For “The Godfather” As The Next Home Movie In Edo -By Isaac Asabor

Since movie makers draw inspiration for their stories from events that happen around them, then one would not be surprised to find in future a home movie that is titled, “The Godfather” on the shelves of video shops on Pounds Road in Aba in Abia State, Iweka Road in Onitsha in Anambra State and Ebinpejo Lane in Idumota in Lagos State and in every commercial in the nooks and crannies of Benin-City and adjoining rural communities.

Given the fact that the title of the awaited movie, “The Godfather” would be entertaining enough and enjoyable, there is no denying the fact that anyone that would decide to relax in his sitting room, either alone or with members of his family, to watch the movie would gain a lot. This is because he would be able to judge for himself whether political leaders, particularly at gubernatorial level, are being imposed on the people in Edo State. It will be self-explanatory in the sense that it will expose how one man will just sit down and think of who should be the governor of the Edo State. Even in a situation where qualified people are not difficult to find, he will mischievously avoid endorsing credible political leaders ostensibly to vindictively settle personal scores to the detriment of good governance in the State. Would it not have been more selfless and patriotic to eschew pecuniary motive in the choice of who should emerge as the governor of Edo State?

The recent choice or rather imposition of Pastor Osaze Ize-Iyamu on Edo people by the former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole clearly buttressed the foregoing view. Not only has he singularly hand-picked the pastor among more qualified leaders that committedly toiled toward a formidable All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, he did not even think of the trouble that lies ahead after the election as legal interpretation of his emergence has begun to come to public domain in trickles. First is the argument that pertains to his eligibility to run against the backdrop of his doubtful affiliation to the APC, and unresolved issue with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The Home Movie, in its narratives, will not be concerned with whether the political leaders Oshiomhole has been imposing on the people are doing well or not , rather it will condemn the situation where the voice of Edolites are been stifled since 2015 when he became a godfather in the State. Did I hear you say he is not a godfather? What do you call anyone that imposes political leaders on the people?

As a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the Nollywood, I would be highly delighted to see a movie that captures the undemocratic acts that are inherent in godfatherism. Suffice it to say that the prologue of the awaited movie in this context should be able to mirror the political horse trading, McCarthyism and other undercurrents that usually precede primaries and general elections in such a way that viewers would be adequately informed, educated and entertained on why Edo has been having inept political leaders.

On a lighter note, the way and manner political leaders are being chosen in the State in the recent political dispensations ridiculously fall below the standard primary schools and secondary schools adopt in electing monitors and prefects, respectively.

The Nollywood movie titled “The Godfather” will no doubt teach politicians in Edo State on how to allow the people choose who they think will be capable of leading or governing them. In fact, the movie should be shot and produced in such a way that the collective conscience of the godfathers would be pricked in order to compel them to begin to apply moral restraint in politicking and become cautious while choosing leaders without denying Edolites their collective rights to choose who should govern or lead them. The film will make them realize that their actions of imposing political leaders on the people are detrimental to the State’s democratic process.

It is imperative to urge interested producers and marketers to cast actors and actresses that can re-enact the godfather’s roles with dexterity. Simply put, actors and actresses that would be featured as cast in the awaited movie should be able to mimic the politicians that have the predilection of imposing political leaders on Edolites, and thereby literarily dragging the State in the mud. To call a spade a spade, imposition of political leaders on the people is never an element of an ideal democratic process all over the world.

Without mincing words, the movie should be impressive enough to make the viewers understand that frequent imposition of political leaders on the people is not in any way doing any good to the State’s image and the growth of democracy.

It is necessary for the activities of godfathers to be mirrored through a movie so that Edolites would have adequate insight into the undercurrents that have been prevailing in the State at the dawn of every political dispensation. It is important for Edolites to get to the root of the imposition of political leaders on them and say No to it. This is because there is more to the imposition of leaders which Edolites have so far groaned under than meets the eye. Most times godfathers and godsons engage themselves in war of words, and are highly sensationalized in the media.

At this juncture, the expected Nollywood film will not underplay the fact that nearly all democratic countries’ accept, to varying degrees, the notion that political leaders should be chosen by the people, and subject to various limitations, checks and balances.