Obaseki And The Politics Of Edo State By Wole Arisekola
Kosalabaro: Why all these protests and counter- protests against Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki of Edo State?
Okebadan: Have you been in a coma since last six months, or are you blind or incapacitated.
Kosalabaro: Easy, brother. I’m just asking you because I want to know the reason. Even the Bible says Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. When you don’t understand something, you have to ask those who do.
Okebadan: Ok, repeat your question.
Kosalabaro: What exactly is the uproar about?
Okebadan: Unpaid salaries running into seven months, no feasible development since 2016, arrogance, deteriorating education standard in his state since 2016. Flaunting of wealth by governor’s family, taking intimate pictures with Hollywood stars, and mega corruption, to mention but a few.
Kosalabaro: Who told you ?.
Okebadan: Nigeria Labour Congress and the masses in Edo State.
Kosalabaro: What did they know about governance. When did taking pictures become a cardinal sin?
What is the fuss about buying properties all over the world if you have your money. What is bad flaunting your wealth if God blesses you.
Okebadan: But what they are saying is that millions of Edo State citizens are living in abject poverty. They can’t afford three square meals.
Kosalabaro: So, the governor is their God who created them. His Excellency has a lot to worry about than all this nonsense that you are saying. The traditional rulers and their children are on his neck. The Pastors and Imams won’t allow him to sleep. He is dealing with senior citizens in the state and you are talking about inconsiquental people here.
Okebadan: But these inconsequential people are the people who voted for him. They stayed under the sun for hours and defended their votes. They loved him but it seems the governor just scammed them.
Kosalabaro: Whatever, I know who sent you. You are working for Adams Oshiomhole. Your bad belle will do nothing to us. Tell Ex-Governor Adams Oshiomole to state his own achievements when he was in power.
Okebadan: I don’t need to ask Adams Oshiomhole, I saw his model school all over Edo State. The teachers’ salaries were paid when due during his tenure. There was no single protest during his time as governor except the late Tony Anenih sponsored Road Transport thugs. The late Oba of Benin, Omonoba Iku Akpolopolo, told me in his Palace in 2011, that Adams Oshiomole did not steal Edo State money. So I don’t understand what you’re saying
here.
Kosalabaro: How can you understand me. You were too busy with he said and they said. If you don’t know anything for sure, how do we know for sure that your Labour Union and masses you are talking about understand the plan of His Excellency for Edo people?
Okebadan: We do know the governor’s plan. Nearly all the good people of Edo State know what’s up. But our prayer is that God should run his family the way he was running Edo State. Whatever his wishes for Edo people should happen to him.
Kosalabaro: I will say Amen, because I know for sure that the governor’s plan is to transform Edo State to a model State in Nigeria. His plan is to make all of you proud of your state. But as usual, you people don’t appreciate his efforts and I will leave you to God.
The Bible says Prophets are honoured everywhere except in their own hometowns, among their relatives, and among their own households.”
Okebadan: Is Godwin Obaseki the prophet they mentioned in the Bible? I will rather follow Satan than honour your own prophet. Yinmu.
Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.