Opinion: Edo election: A critical overview

By Promise Adiele

It is no longer news that Godwin Obaseki of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won the just-concluded gubernatorial election in Edo State.

However, what appears to be news is the celebration across Nigeria over what the people think is a victory against the totalitarian rule of the APC.

There is wild jubilation across the country. It is not so much about Obaseki or Ize-Iyamu. The two candidates had little to do in the matter.

It was more of the people’s reaction over the APC, a party that leaves much to be desired since it came to power.

There is poverty in the land. Nigerians are practically groaning under the excruciating yoke of poverty inflicted on them by the APC government.

Some people believe that anybody presented by the PDP would have won the election. It was more of a rejection of APC than a vote for the PDP.

APC’s failure in Edo is a profound statement by the electorate against what they perceive as a failed government at the centre.

The general celebration across Nigeria is symbolic of the Nigerian consciousness towards the political party and its policies.

While people are rejoicing across the country, the Edo election provides another opportunity to examine all the nodal tensions in Nigeria.

Intriguingly, many people have used different platforms to congratulate Mr President for not hijacking the process and forcing the APC candidate on the Edo electorate.

The question is, are people congratulating and thanking Mr President because they feared that the APC will live up to their brutal reputation as manipulators of a democratic process?

Are people congratulating Mr. President because he didn’t deploy state instrumentality of force to manipulate the democratic process in Edo State?

Imo State, Kano State, and other states readily come to mind. Interestingly, Mr. President has replied that he is committed to good governance and upholding the democratic culture in Nigeria.

Given the prevailing situation in Nigeria, and under a free and fair atmosphere, many people believe that the APC will never win any kitchen election in Nigeria no matter the opposition.

The PDP victory in Edo State has signalled the end of what many observers call “godfatherism” in Nigerian politics.

“Godfatherism” as used in Nigeria’s political lexicon means a situation where a celebrated politician presents a political neophyte while calling the shots from behind the curtains.

Political godfathers are the real people who take all the decisions while the candidate serves as a mere pun on a chessboard.

Without direction, a voice, and any significant input, the candidate holds power on behalf of the godfather. He dances to the godfather’s every whim and caprice.

Any day the candidate finds his voice and attempts to assert his authority, the godfather pulls the rug from his feet which signals the end of the candidate in power.

Some states in Nigeria daily suffocate in the stranglehold of godfatherism. However, in rare political solidarity, the Edo electorate liquidated godfatherism, driving a vicious nail on the coffin.

In Edo State, it was the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob. Ize-Iyamu was the candidate, but Adams Oshiohmole was the voice behind the microphone.

I am sure many Christians are familiar with that declaration in the Bible “It is the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob”.

For those who may not know, the Bible, that Christianity manuscript of universal veneration, captures multiple truths which provide a template for millions of people to reinvent their lives.

That Biblical, epigrammatic declaration was the voice of Isaac when he sought to give blessings to his son Esau.

However, Isaac’s brother Jacob, through guile and deception, with the conniving desperation of their mother, presented himself as Esau but Isaac was quick to note the difference between the voice he heard and the hand he touched.

It was the same scenario in Edo State. The people instinctively recognized the voice as belonging to the former governor Adams Oshiomole while the face belonged to Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The Edo election has once again validated my argument – the sacrosanctity of the will of the people. In the past, each time Nigerians rose with one accord and determination, they always achieved a memorable feat.

The Edo election is a demonstration of the divine will of the people to always triumph over acts of terror and brigandage.

Representatives of Third Force Movement who covered the election in Edo State reported that the people where overwhelmingly poised to end the reign of godfatherism in Edo State.

According to reports from Third Force Movement underground observers, Edo people were ready to lay down their lives to ensure that the election was free and fair. From the old to the young, the people trooped out to vote out APC’s rule of conquering and godfatherism.

The Edo election demonstrates that our votes count, which counters the popular narrative by millions of people in Nigeria that our votes don’t count.

Our votes count when we want them to do so, they won’t count if we don’t want them to count. I am not a friend of the PDP.

The party is a twin brother of the APC, but perhaps, PDP appears like a saint given the brutal onslaught of the APC against Nigerians.

Also, APC’s recklessness in power has indeed polished PDP’s sixteen years at the centre. If Nigeria was limping under PDP, the APC has crippled the country.

If Nigeria was short-sighted under the PDP, the country is blind under APC and Nigerians are duly aware of these conditions.

In going forward, I wish to galvanize Nigerians to reject misrule of any kind whether during elections or at other times irrespective of the party involved.

I am worried about the indifference, apathy, and nonchalant attitude by Nigerians in the face of growing national malaise. Our voices count no matter how insignificant we think they may be.

However, to turn a blind eye on issues of national importance and steer our passion towards inconsequential pastimes while expecting things to change is in itself an insincere attitude.

The Edo election has proved that power truly belongs to the people.

I believe the people can overcome the political superstructure maintained by politicians who have milked the soul of our country dry.

As 2023 beckons, we must begin to think differently, to embrace a new order championed by an emerging class who understand and appreciate the meaning of governance.

The general despair across the country is understandable, but we have very minimal choices than to embrace positivity.

While many compatriots are clamouring for disintegration, I believe firmly that restructuring Nigeria is a better option and more achievable.

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I am aware that many people have given up on the country, of course, they have the right to do so, but the Edo election has proved that there is hope for Nigeria to turn things around only if we have the will and solidarity to do so.

A restructured Nigeria will address all the issues of injustice and revenue formula because the regions will have autonomy and develop at their own pace.

If we do not have the will to change Nigeria, we will never have the courage to change our separate countries in the event of disintegration.