ANGUISH AND FURY TRAILS EDO POSTPONED POLLS

The classical and epic clash between two warring gladiators has been cleverly shifted-even temporarily.  When the story behind the scenes is eventually told, readers would see how the very diminutive and combative incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomole buckled under intense pressure of defeat. Citing security reasons, the nation’s supervisory body INEC announced the Polls shift to September 28, from the much hyped September 10. They said there were clear signs of security threats to the State. For an election that the All Progressive Congress had in their finger tips, the news caught many by surprise. At least a known majority from the camp of the APC did not find the news funny. But in reality, they were pleased. If what they heard from Oshiomole---that the opposition PDP had imported 8,000 militants to rig the election in their favor---was true, then he was right. But to political observers, that was as much laughable as it was a clear sign of fear!

Throughout the build-up to the Polls, Oshiomole had stolen the show, talking boisterously, instead of his stooges Godwin Obaseki and Phillip Shuaibu; he did not tell the anxious audience what the duo would do except to continue in his “good” works and to point out that it was better to be on the side of the ruling APC run Federal Government. He did not explain to them how the State came to the sordid state they now find themselves—delayed salaries, extreme taxation, non-payment of pensioners, poor state of roads and above all his unbridled thirst for phantom projects. He reportedly sunk 32 billion in his pet project- the  Edo University within 8 months; borrowed 75 billion dollars for which there is  no trace as of today; he also did not explain to the Benis why upon his closeness to the Buhari Government that Aduwawa road is in shambles, why the Uromi-Ekpoma-Iruekpen highway are now as dangerous causing untold hardship to the people; Oshiomole did not tell the people why he allowed only a cabal of 5 to amass unexplained wealth why the others wallow in abject poverty. Oshiomole’s Iyamho sprawling complex reportedly worth over 10 billion would live to haunt him forever.

While the campaign lasted, the former labor leader failed to explain to the Benis why he brought his brother Phillip Shuaibu to be the Deputy Governor nominee sidetracking the Ishan’s and a relatively unknown Godwin Obaseki, if not to cover his tracks; he also did not tell the Benis why he turned himself into the only “Godfather”, “Kingmaker”, “Captain of Captains”, when he derisively insulted the previous grandmasters in Chief Tony Anenih, Tom Ikimi, Samuel Ogbemudia, etc. On this subject, he became so vociferous to the amusement of onlookers. “Was it necessary to cast aspersions on elders?” some intellectuals had questioned. But that became his regular trademark and now unfortunately—his waterloo. He never knew the damage he was inviting to himself. “When you point accusing fingers at others, watch out for three fingers pointing back at you”, said Mr. Osatowen Giwa. “He woke the people from their slumber and raised their consciousness”, disclosed Mr. Giwa. He told the Expose news that what the people did not know before, they now do, meaning his strategy of heaping insults on elders had irretrievably backfired! “This was what informed the postponement, because had the elections held, the APC would have been unquestionably defeated”, Giwa added.

Meanwhile, Oshiomole received another setback when the Oba factor eluded him, so also the Buhari body language that favored open election without security interference! From the bits and pieces put together, these power blocks were reportedly miffed and uncomfortable with his arrogance and stubbornness. “The same man who insults former President Jonathan at every turn is himself worse”, said an insider in the Osadebey House where Oshiomole is the Alpha and Omega, brooking no alternate views.

For now, however, the PDP is waxing stronger riding on the crest of Oshiomole’s blunders. Come that day, September 28, it is possible, judging from the trend that defeat is imminent for the APC.