“Small” Oshiomhole floors “big” Anenih again.

By Prince Kassim Afegbua

The Etsako-Central bye-election to fill the vacant seat in the lackluster Edo State House of Assembly presents to me another dimension in a people-driven democracy. The outcome of the election here is not my point of elation, but the process that gave birth to irrepressible Mr. Johnny Oghuma, the victorious Action Congress candidate who trounced his opponent, Chris Omogbai of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, who believed so much in the ‘federal might’ cognomen of his godfathers in Abuja and Uromi.

When I wrote barely two months ago that Chief Tony Anenih, the self-acclaimed “Mr. Fix it” has become a political vegetable, descending from that height of a political Iroko to a political cassava, I got several calls from people who needed me to explain my theory. I should concede that the outcome of the Etsako-Central bye-elections should convey my impressions. These impressions remain to be controverted both at the level of morality in politics and the lack of it. I had argued that even if politics lacks morality, it does not lack wisdom.

A man as old as Chief Tony Anenih should rather dwell more on national politics and play the role of an elder statesman, than take the captainship band of some pristine domestic politics. In fact, he should know when to exit from an indulgence that gave him such notorious fame. Of course, wanting to be seen as a man who fixes everything in Edo State, which in reality is not true, Anenih has appropriated to himself the status of the last bus stop in Edo politics.

But all that is changing and has changed. I had argued with some level of introspection that given the present configuration in Edo State with the David and Goliath comparison of an Adams to a Tony, it would be difficult for PDP known to be master riggers, to have their way in Edo State. It is this rigging mentality that had castrated young political parties like mine, the National Democratic Party to have any breakthrough in the state. The scenario is further compounded by the reality that those who were rightly and wrongly deployed as foot-soldiers riggers in the PDP, having confessed their sins and forgiven, have now emptied into the Action Congress.

Then who is the last man standing in the PDP?
Those who are aspiring to contest further elections under the banner of the PDP should rather go after the people, ask for forgiveness, repent from their unholy ways and be seen to be independent if they truly want to make any headway. For any of them associating with the diminished Anenih is to be a confirmed candidate of Fela Anikulapo’s ‘hell fire’; “double wahala for deady body and the owner of deady body”. Anenih is simply an unsellable product. He never sold and yet can’t sell. And the story has just begun. It is difficult for anyone to enter a duel with a known activist like Adams Oshiomhole who enjoys genuine grassroots support, without coming out with bruises all over.

Take the Biblical David and Goliath. Let us condition ourselves into an imaginary boxing ring, with the diminutive fist of an Oshiomhole with that of hardened and bogus fist of an Anenih. How would the gloves look like in the fist of Oshiomhole? It is likely that Oshiomhole might not get his gloves size easily. I am damn sure the referee might also want to give some early warnings to Oshiomhole facing such a tall and big Anenih, because once the whistle goes, the story of the boxing ring changes; a winner must emerge. And all of a sudden, Oshiomhole was seen jumping here and there, applying his deft skills and people-powered strategy of ‘let’s protect our votes’ kind of, and a loud shout came from the other end as a consequence of upper-cut.

As he tries to unleash another jab to nail his boxing ring foe, the referee signals for an infringement, gave a little bit of caution to both boxers, and boxing resumes. There goes Oshiomhole again, this time jumping twice his height to get at the lower jaw of Anenih, and yes, he succeeded and the man came crashing from that Iroko height, sprawling and calling for help. His PDP godsons namely, Gani Audu, Dan Orbih, Zakawanu Garba, Jarret Tenebe, Chief Bruno Oshiokpehai, Domingo Obende and several others, seeing the anger and outrage in Oshiomhole’s punches, took to their heels and left the man lamenting his tales of woes. Those who were wise quickly got converted to Oshiomhole’s camp but the rest who are still nursing their wounds, are planning to stage a come-back. And Edo people watch with relish the unfolding drama with a loud exclamation; how is the mighty Anenih falling?

Those who are given away by the wrong assumption that Oshiomhole is not a politician might be digging their own political grave. He might not display the manipulations and shenanigans of the everyday politician, which often give rise to dubious outcomes; he does possess the skills of a great mobilizer and strong campaigner whose energy does not correspond to his age. At 57, Oshiomhole is still bubbling with unimaginable energy that could take him round the entire nooks and crannies of Edo State to seek for votes either for himself or his party. This much he deployed at the Etsako-Central elections campaign without leaving anything to chance, believing that only a free and fair election can guarantee the expected outcome. And the people of Fugar are happy that for the first time, votes actually counted for them.

This also exposed the limits of imposition and rigging. For sure, rigging has limitations as much as the so-called Federal Might. Within two weeks before the election, the dubiety of the PDP and their anti-people stance were exposed. The Joint Task Force set up by the Oshiomhole administration to address the poor security situation in the State was withdrawn. The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the State was changed overnight in what INEC called routine redeployment. The Nigeria Police under IG Onovo reportedly deployed 4,000 police on the streets of Fugar to contend with any backlash as if that is the theme of our election. Accusations and counter-accusations became the normative order of campaigns.

The problems of that constituency were never of interest to the PDP campaigners. One can imagine the chain of command; General Godwin Abbe passing the instruction to the Police Commissioner and the Army Commander, Onovo would naturally show collegiate solidarity with his former boss, Anenih, then Mike Oghiadome would use his office as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, to prevail on INEC that his Constituency is a MUST win, so INEC known for their double standards, would readily concede. And the imaginations would go on and on. But the peoples power, such collegiate solidarity defeated all the plans and democracy became the largest beneficiary.

The PDP is yet to understand that the rhythms have changed and would have to change their dance steps if they must remain in strong contention. But for a Party whose habit is that of rigging elections and manipulating the system, a Party notorious for imposing candidates in the spirit of what they called family affair, it is understandable why they are finding it difficult to adjust. Still recovering from the bruises it received at the last Assembly elections in Akoko-Edo, the PDP had continued to shout blue murder over the outcome of that election and petitions are being written like WASC essays. It got to the ridiculous extent when Onovo picked up interest in the case by taking those who were allegedly accused of gun-running to Abuja for interrogations and possibly trials. An offence committed in a local government cannot be handled by the State and its relevant courts? Under a PDP government, anything can happen. Laws are made because of some people and not for the people.

I will still insist on my free of charge exhortation to Anenih. As part of his retirement plans, I will strongly advise that he relocates to Benin, reposition his Nova Hotels and turn it to a tourist attraction to help drive internally generated revenue in the state. Having waited for too long in the corridors of politics, he will also be a good waiter in the hotel. People who believe in his politics would naturally turn the hotel to a Mecca of some sorts. That will earn him more recognition and Oshiomhole in his usual magnanimity, would proffer an award on him if he helps in improving the revenue drive in the state through tourism.

That will be a good exit point. He could also ponder on this other option; retire fully to Uromi, his village, and become palace adviser to the king and enjoys the sweet banters of palace jesters whose knowledge of local witty sayings and proverbs are usually very profound. At Uromi, the center of gravity, his political godsons and recruits will help to sustain his local champion status. That way, he will be more appreciated by his people rather than going about Edo State campaigning in counsellorship elections, local government elections, House of Assembly or any other elections for that matter.

These days, even young children offer their fathers therapeutic advice to bail them out of a rather difficult situation. I have offered mine free of charge. As a political figure that has become a political vegetable, those young minds out there will cook and eat vegetable; it is a palatable delicacy if well prepared. Do not allow this struggle to take you to the point of people eating your vegetable. From that point you will become political Edika-Ikong. That sweet Calabar soup! It is the final point of disgrace, of no return, of ridicule and above all, of no mean consequence. But Oshiomhole, you no get pity oh? I beg pity the old man. Him no go offend you again. You just they wire the man any how? This your NLC blood self. Na wah oh.
•Prince Kassim Afegbua
Acting National Chairman,
National Democratic Party, NDP.
Abuja .

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