The failure of common sense, By Jefferson Uwoghiren

Any keen student of politics who fails to study biographies as a vivid insight and correctives to the study of institutional structures and systems will always be opaque at the troubled joy that explain certain political developments.

In Edo State, the reported attempt by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shuaibu to preemptively strike at his perceived political enemies goes against the grains of recent political history of the state. A historical process the Deputy Governor was a willing participant and beneficiary. Let me distract you with a little history.

In June 2016, after months of rattling expletives, APC as the then ruling party in Edo State, held a Gubernatorial Primary at the now revamped Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, where Mr Godwin Obaseki emerged the party candidate, defeating eleven persons including the then incumbent Deputy Governor, Hon Pius Odubu, who polled 471 delegates votes to Obaseki’s 1618.

It was a bittersweet exercise, with Hon. Philip Shuaibu campaigning and voting for Mr Godwin Obaseki, setting a precedent his political handlers are deviously attempting to set aside with murky injunctive prayers. In the build up to the Gubernatorial Primary, Governor Adams Oshiomohle stripped his then Deputy Governor, Hon. Pius Odubu of all executive privileges and political powers, even up to his ward executive committee, forcing Barr. Humphrey Uwanseoje, a retired Permanent Secretary and Campaign Coordinator of Odubu to cry out with a petition to APC national leadership.

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Nothing changed. He was hounded out of office. Instructively, Hon. Philip Shuaibu was in charge of Oshiomohle’s scorched earth policies that mowed down internal descents, including the rebellious faction Dr. Tunde Lakoju led in Akoko Edo, continuing with the political tradition that prevented Chief Mike Ogiadohme from succeeding Governor Lucky Igbinedion in 2007 as a Deputy Governor. Since 2016, Hon. Pius Odubu took his embarrassing but expected defeat with equanimity unusual of Orhionmwon people, even with the provocative and humiliating statements from Comrade Adams Oshiomohle.

As a reward for his role in the humiliation of Odubu, Hon. Philip Shuaibu was asked to resign his membership of the National Assembly, he was newly elected to, after years as a legislator in Edo State House of Assembly. He became the undisputed Deputy Governorship Candidate of the party. This wasn’t a careless decision or a reward for some cognitive depth, but a metzerhound decision to put everyone in check for the benefits of iyahmo falconers. A botched mandate that routed even the falconers.

It’s surprising to hear Hon. Philip Shuaibu complain of a process that shot him to immersive power, immense wealth and influence making him one of the luckiest politicians in Edo State since 2000. This gubernatorial bid is a betrayal of trust and a harebrained attempt to drain Edo State Government of popular public support. It will boomerang. Admittedly, it’s the right of any freeborn to aspire to the highest office, but does it sound equitable to have a Philip Shuaibu as a fit and proper replacement for Governor Godwin Obaseki as Executive Governor of Edo State now? I hope common sense will provide the right answer.

● Jefferson Uwoghiren, Esq. Lives in Benin City.