LIKE a flash in the pan, the bell tolls
for Governor Adams Oshiomhole to exit Osadebe Avenue, Edo State
Government seat of power. He will be completing his 8-year of militant
reign in the saddle on the 12th of November, 2016.
His admirers say the eight years was a
huge success and eventful, while his detractors say it was a tawdry
reign of tokenism, negative legacy of political restructuring, ‘Stone
Age’ institutional building and, of course, entrenchment of gutter
government.
His followers are of the opinion that
Mr. Oshiomhole is a patron saint who came to salvage the state from
virtue collapse visited on it by the past PDP governments, yet his
traducers are saying that Oshiomhole’s governance structure has been
that of mindless politics of patronage of primitive order, irrational
exploitation of the poor mass via multiple taxation, highest debt
profile amongst the Nigeria States and virtue looting of the public
till.
Appreciation and denigration for and
against Oshiomhole is endless. While Oshiomhole’s lovers posit that he
was the best that ever happened to the state in terms of infrastructural
development, those who disagreed with him say he was the worst because
of alleged inflation of all the contract sum executed in the state
during his time.
Oshiomhole’s Successes
Edo State capital, Benin City was a huge rustic swathe of ancient City before Oshiomhole became governor on November 12th, 2008. It was somehow difficult to navigate freely within and outside the State Capital without wasting useful man hours on a daily basis. Governor Oshiomhole particularly made studious efforts to fix a number of roads in the first four years of his administration. His second four years in office was wasted on uncomplimentary politicking
Edo State capital, Benin City was a huge rustic swathe of ancient City before Oshiomhole became governor on November 12th, 2008. It was somehow difficult to navigate freely within and outside the State Capital without wasting useful man hours on a daily basis. Governor Oshiomhole particularly made studious efforts to fix a number of roads in the first four years of his administration. His second four years in office was wasted on uncomplimentary politicking
Under his first four years in office,
the State similarly witnessed upsurge of revolution-like renovations of
hundreds of public schools across the State. This was largely possible
because of the federal government collaborative contributions through
the instrumentalities of Universe Basic Education, UBE. The federal
government contributed the largest chunk of the money to the
reconstruction of the schools.
In the same token, in a period of eight
years, Governor Oshiomhole built an ultra modern state of the arts
Specialist Hospital, which he said would matched any modern hospital
globally. President Muhammadu
Buhari, at the commissioning of the Hospital a few days ago in Benin City, equally expressed similar sentiments.
There is no doubt Governor Oshiomhole has laid solid foundation for the infrastructural deficit state in such that subsequent governments after him have no option than to continue to build on his legacies, regarding structural development.
There is no doubt Governor Oshiomhole has laid solid foundation for the infrastructural deficit state in such that subsequent governments after him have no option than to continue to build on his legacies, regarding structural development.
Though, most of the roads built by
Governor Oshiomhole were accomplished with sidewalks, and in some cases,
with street lightening and greeneries. However, it’s a sad commentary
that the roads are completely devoid of bus stops and motor parks, which
suggest poor engineering architecture on the part of his government.
Painfully, it has embodied motorists to virtually turned every available
space on the reconstructed roads and walkways in the city centre to car
parks.
Oshiomhole’s Failures
The replacement of false head with fake tail may not have found its proper description until Mr. Adams Oshiomhole becomes the governor of Edo State. His governorship bid; assumption of office and reign — even his policies — was like a rainbow arched down to the people and state from the heavens, a rainbow like an angel’s breath, like an answered prayer.
Now, his exit marks an end to his political rope as a conformist and pretentious progressive. In other words, Oshiomhole’s contagious politics of revisionism has darkened the part to radical actualization of nation building and politics of national reawakening. In the days running to the nation’s struggle for democratic space, it was easy to project that the cast of his catchments are the desirable elements that will propel the nation to achieve her dream, if ever there was one.
The replacement of false head with fake tail may not have found its proper description until Mr. Adams Oshiomhole becomes the governor of Edo State. His governorship bid; assumption of office and reign — even his policies — was like a rainbow arched down to the people and state from the heavens, a rainbow like an angel’s breath, like an answered prayer.
Now, his exit marks an end to his political rope as a conformist and pretentious progressive. In other words, Oshiomhole’s contagious politics of revisionism has darkened the part to radical actualization of nation building and politics of national reawakening. In the days running to the nation’s struggle for democratic space, it was easy to project that the cast of his catchments are the desirable elements that will propel the nation to achieve her dream, if ever there was one.
Eight years down the lane; all the
promises, all attempts, all policy thrusts, all the initial manifest
hopes are merely ventilated, symbolically, through eloquent public
preachment. As the governor of Edo State, Oshiomhole smothers the hope
of rebuilding the ancient city and the entire state by placing a great
oceans between himself and those lofting ideas he once propounded about
governance when the shoes were in the other foot.
In 2006, Governor Oshiomhole boldly wrote in his manifesto that he would banish poverty from the state by creating 10,000 jobs for the jobless Edo Youths when elected as governor. The only known minimal dent he made at job creation was the aborted Edo YES SCHEME. After engaging 1,000 youths as casual staff under EDO YES SCHEME for seven years. He later chased them way for inexplicable reasons.
In 2006, Governor Oshiomhole boldly wrote in his manifesto that he would banish poverty from the state by creating 10,000 jobs for the jobless Edo Youths when elected as governor. The only known minimal dent he made at job creation was the aborted Edo YES SCHEME. After engaging 1,000 youths as casual staff under EDO YES SCHEME for seven years. He later chased them way for inexplicable reasons.
Similar fate befell EDSTMA. After
militantly establishing Edo State Traffic Management Authority, EDSTMA,
which was passed into law by the State House of Assembly and assented to
on August 5, 2010, the governor turned violently against the
established institution. It was a case of “na mi born am, na mi give an
belle”. Countless instances are replete were the rule of the thumb
prevails over the rule of law. Governance in Edo under Oshiomhole was
politics gone awry. The light of the people clashed with the ostensible
greed of the power monsters. The fate of Edo people were utterly sealed
by cultists, Agberos and denizens who were unleashed on the people by
the former revolutionary leader turned governor. When the structure of
democratic institution is eroded, the end is usually predictable.
Wheeler-Bennet told of it with utmost definiteness in The Nemesis of
Power.
“Excessive exercise of virtual paramount power leads to descent and total defeat, both politically and spiritually”.
Certainly, Governor Oshiomhole will be
remembered as a man from the labour movement that presided over the
reconstruction of those roads; red roof renovation of schools, aped
minimally at gully erosion control, built a five star hospital for eight
years, toppled the godfathers and ascended to his position,
amongst others.
amongst others.
Even with his make-believe
accomplishments, his tenure has been marred in unexampled and Olympian
inequality, nepotism and unparalleled lopsidedness in distribution of
political offices in respect to the almighty principle of Federal
Character. The anomalous seed of unemployment, over taxation – 24
different tax collection – and the bizarre indebtedness he bequeathed to
the generation yet unborn is syntonic of failed leadership. Few days
ago, Concerned Edo Non-Governmental Organisations and Stakeholders
petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), calling
for the immediate investigation of Governor Adams Oshiomohole, over
alleged diversion and misappropriation of state funds.
A part of the 11 pages petition signed
by Dr. Osadolor Ochei and Mr. Kola Edokpayi and addressed to Acting EFCC
chairman, Ibrahim Magu reads thus: “On April 5, 2012, EFCC acknowledged
receipt of a petition titled: “A call to investigate Governor Adams
Aliu Oshiomhole’s multi-billion naira mansion in Iyamho, Edo State,”
which was signed by Matthew Edeghase Esq.
“In addition to the said earlier
petition, we add that the cost of the controversial mansion, that was
designed and constructed by Verissimo (a South African Architect), is
valued to be about N10 billion.
“The size and scope of the mansion
completely negates all possible explanations for the source of
Oshiomhole’s fund, which he had used for the construction.
“In 2014, Oshiomhole paid N23 million,
via an Access Bank cheque, to Edo State Government for a parcel of land
he claimed to have seized from the Federal Government at Okoro Otun
Avenue, GRA Benin City.
“At present, he is erecting a
multiple-floor Saddam Hussein style bunker on the land. “Our
investigation also shows that Oshiomhole bought the Guinness Guest House
located along Reservation Road, GRA Benin City, soon after he was sworn
in as governor in 2009.
“The property was quickly converted to
the office of HANI and ASSOCIATES, a consultancy firm that has
supervised all civil construction works in Edo state since 2008.
“We are reliably informed that Oshiomhole allegedly bought the building for over N100million.
“A ship-like building is currently under
construction along Golf Course Road, next door to Benin Club. Mr. Hamed
Useni, the managing director of Hani and Associate, Oshiomhole’s
business associate, is allegedly fronting as owner. It will interest the
chairman to note that this company is the sole consultancy firm for all
civil works in Edo state for which he allegedly charges over 10 percent
of all contracts.
“Apart from his current residence, which
he built with his campaign funds in 2007 and the new Okoro Otun house,
Oshiomhole is currently constructing another mansion in Abuja where he
has planned to move to, after handing over on November 12, 2016…”
Governor Oshiomhole has been laying
claims to President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, even though the APC
lost the 2015 Presidential election in the state.
In 2011, Governor Oshiomhol issued
debilitating press statement against PMB, planned visit to campaign for
his reelection at the time. The same Oshiomhole is presently clowning as
President Buhari’s man Friday! Going Forward
“The condition upon which God hath given
liberty to man is eternal vigilance.” Or simply said, “the price of
liberty is eternal ”.
The above statement has been credited to
many revolutionaries of history, including the American Abolitionist
and liberal activist, Wendell Phillips on January 28, 1852.
Phillips harps on eternal vigilance as
the price of liberty; saying power is ever stealing from the many to the
few. The manna of popular liberty must be gathered each day or it is
rotten. The living sap of today outgrows the dead rind of yesterday. The
hand entrusted with power becomes, either form human depravity or
esprit de corps, the necessary enemy of the people. Only by continued
oversight can the people elected into office be prevented from hardening
into a despot; only by unintermitted agitation can a people be
sufficiently awake to principle not to let liberty be smothered in
material prosperity.”
This is more so because the nation which
gave the world liberty and freedom just elected their own president in
the person of Donald Trump, against the wishes of majority of people
outside America. This is a lesson for us in Edo State or anywhere else
in Nigeria not to allow small minded politicians, vague populism or a
few naira note to determine who gets our votes.
It’s our collective responsibility to
fasten upon the minds of the Edo people the belief, that ‘the price of
liberty is eternal vigilance. The sentinels on the watch-tower should
sleep not, and slumber not, least our civic rights and collective
patrimony will forever be stolen by the corrupt few.
Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke on the phone on Monday evening and
agreed on the need to normalise ties between Washington and Moscow, the
Kremlin said.
The Kremlin also said that the two politicians agreed to “make
provisions for a personal meeting.”
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/putin-trump-phone-call-back-normalising-us-russia-ties-kremlin/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/putin-trump-phone-call-back-normalising-us-russia-ties-kremlin/
Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke on the phone on Monday evening and
agreed on the need to normalise ties between Washington and Moscow, the
Kremlin said.
The Kremlin also said that the two politicians agreed to “make
provisions for a personal meeting.”
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/putin-trump-phone-call-back-normalising-us-russia-ties-kremlin/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/putin-trump-phone-call-back-normalising-us-russia-ties-kremlin/
Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke on the phone on Monday evening and
agreed on the need to normalise ties between Washington and Moscow, the
Kremlin said.
The Kremlin also said that the two politicians agreed to “make
provisions for a personal meeting.”
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/putin-trump-phone-call-back-normalising-us-russia-ties-kremlin/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/putin-trump-phone-call-back-normalising-us-russia-ties-kremlin/
Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke on the phone on Monday evening and
agreed on the need to normalise ties between Washington and Moscow, the
Kremlin said.
The Kremlin also said that the two politicians agreed to “make
provisions for a personal meeting.”
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/putin-trump-phone-call-back-normalising-us-russia-ties-kremlin/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/putin-trump-phone-call-back-normalising-us-russia-ties-kremlin/
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