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| FEATURE ARTICLE |
| Andrew K. Omo-Abu, Ph.D | Wednesday, February 15, 2006 |
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andrew.omoabu@doc.nyc.gov Baldwin, NY, USA 
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STOP THE RUMORED IMPEACHMENT MADNESS IN EDO STATE
ot too long ago, I had a discussion with some of my colleagues in one of the Universities, in which I am an adjunct professor. One of them is a political scientist and the other a political sociologist. The subject of our discussion was the political developments in Nigeria, my home country. The contributions of my colleagues were very instructive, but on the whole, both of them concluded that the problems with Nigerians and Nigeria have much to do with the syndrome of underdevelopment. "Underdevelopment?" I queried, that is a word I hate use, I rather say, "developing."
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I responded that, they could say that they are not responsible to the electorates since godfatherism reigns supreme in modern Nigerian politics. We talked about the impeachment of Governor Ladoja of Oyo State and how Chief Adedibu played number on him. We talked about Governor Ngige of Anambra State and his godfather, Chris Uba who claimed to have rigged the gubernatorial election in favor of Dr. Chris Ngige in 2003. He was expelled from the Peoples Democratic Party and latter readmitted into the party, and made a member of the Board of Trustee. However, I retorted that I think by implication, what I am saying, is that we have no business expecting these "selected" people to serve us by providing for us what we might expect of a government.
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They are selected to lord it over us, loot our treasury and build mansions all over the globe and keep the remainder of their loot in foreign bank accounts. I said that the only reason we hear of disagreement between a governor and his godfather is when the loot is not fairly distributed. I think that we would be better served if these people are made to account for their stewardship at the expiration of their term of service, instead of impeaching them half way through their term of office; most specifically, about a year and half to the end of their term of office. We could also be helping ourselves if the Nigeria elite would put aside their differences, which are mainly ethnocentric, and allow the constitution to be amended to expunge the immunity clause so that a public officer who misappropriated public funds could be prosecuted while in office
As our discussion progresses one of them reminded us that about a fortnight ago, precisely on January 29, 2006, Professor Omo Omoruyi raised an alarm or rather "alerted" the people of Edo State, in a press briefing, of a secret impending plot to impeach the Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion,. Professor Omoruyi went further to say that the plotters of this destabilizing act were actively pursuing the recruitment of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Michael Oghiadomhe, to assist them in carrying out their dastardly plot. I told my colleagues outright that that Chief Michael Oghiadomhe I know cannot be drawn into this type of mess and I supported my position as shown in the foregoing essay. I am from Etsako Central Local Government Area, the home of both Admiral Michael Akhigbe, who was instrumental to the creation of the local government area, and the Deputy Governor of Edo state Chief Michael Ogiadomhe. Traditionally and culturally, it is uncharacteristic of an Etsako person to backstab. We are loyal to the fault
I must admit that I was disturbed when I heard of this news story. But I quickly ruled it out and thought it was one of their political strategizing. I thought that this must be a ruse when the author of this dangerous rumor, Professor Omo Omoruyi claimed that his source of information was General Ibrahim Babaginda, an undeclared presidential candidate for 2007, for whom he (Professor Omoruyi) is working to actualizing his come back. Although my disbelief, I determined that the issue was worth investigating. So, I called on some persons in Benin City, who I know would be able to feed me with reliable information about the plot, which is said to have been hatched by persons in high places at Abuja. I wanted to know the authenticity of Professor Omoruyi's story. However, some of my sources confirmed the story as told by Professor Omoruyi and some other believed it is a rare possibility in Edo State because of the absolute loyalty of the deputy governor to the governor
One of the sources provided me with the following analysis of the situation, but admitted that because of the two factions of the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, in Edo State, the legislators of the State House of Assembly are also factionalized into two camps with twelve members of the house loyal to the governor while the other twelve members are loyal to the Chief Anenih's faction of the party in the State. He said further, that because of this equal divide in the state house of assembly he was not comfortable with the development, but only wished it was not true. According to him of the twelve members of the state assembly loyal to the governor, four are from constituencies in Edo North, specifically the old Etsako Local Government Area, which is made up now of Etsako West, Etsako East and Etsako Central. These legislators maintain dual loyalty. On one hand, they are loyal to the Deputy Governor, Chief Michael Oghiadomhe, who is very loyal to the governor; and on the other hand they are as well loyal to the governor.
This group of four, he said could be lured into the belief that the impeachment of the governor would benefit their "son" or "brother," Chief Michael Oghiadomhe, who would automatically become governor and they could name persons of their choice in Governor Ogiadomhe's administration. He wished that the members of the group of four were people of integrity, who could not be bought over by this cheap attractive proposition. The Edo State House of Assembly would need at least sixteen of their members to form the two-third majority required to impeach the governor. In which case, for the governor's impeachment to succeed, his enemies would actually need the support of Chief Michael Ogiadomhe, who would be the immediate benefactor if the governor were impeached. So, Chief Michael Ogiadomhe holds the key to the stability of Edo State. I will encourage Chief Ogiadomhe to follow the path of honor of our ancestors and resist the temptation of allowing himself to be used by the faction opposed to his government. The carrot stick, governor of the state, that is offered him is not worth straining the relationship between the Binis and the people of Etsako for, as well as destroying his reputation and his envied loyalty for his boss. His singular act of decamping to aid those who want to destroy Lucky Igbinedion's political career will help to exacerbate the fluid interethnic relationship and increase the tacit distrust these two peoples (the Binis and the Etsakos) have for one another.
It is understood that Chief Ogiadomhe is being coerced to turn against his governor. In addition to being promised the governorship of the state, he is also threatened that if he refused to comply, he would be dealt with. I will advise Deputy Governor Ogiadomhe to face whatever they may visit on him, because it would be well known and documented that his political problems are emanating from his refusal to be the biblical Judas. In defense of the deputy governor, Chief Michael Oghiadomhe, my informant said that the deputy governor knows very well that he is equally a target if this plot were true. According to him if this plot, which were sponsored by the faction of PDP faction, led by Chief Anenih, which is opposed, to Chief Igbinedion's government, he is also a target. This faction, according to my source, has already picked a gubernatorial candidate in person of Mr. Ogbesia, who Chief Anenih, the Mr. Fixer, has already anointed as the next governor of Edo State. He said that Ogbesia's gubernatorial candidacy and ultimately governorship of the state is assured because the PDP has decided to select their gubernatorial candidates for 2007 in the South to ensure that their governors are true party loyalists of the new PDP. He said, Chief Michael Oghiadomhe would want to succeed his boss, but not for a year and half. He is also aware that he does not have the support of Chief Anenih's faction of the PDP in Edo State for the gubernatorial race of 2007. And concluded that he believed that Chief Ogiadomhe's enemies want to rope him into this plot to cause a feud between him and his boss and his Bini supporters with whom he is sure of support if the political game is played fairly.
However, Professor Omo Omoruyi's alarm has to be taken seriously by all concern for whatever it is, but I am sure the plotters would not realize what he alerted us about. We need to remind ourselves that these same persons who are causing these confusions in Edo State and all over the country are the same persons who were instrumental to the annulment of Chief MKO Abiola's presidential victory of 1993, popularly known as "June 12." These are the same persons who are the proponents of the elongation of President Olusegun Obasanjo's term of office beyond 2007, popularly known as, the "Third Term Agenda." They do not mean well for Nigeria. But most unfortunately, they are always to be found in corridors of power.
I have said over and over again that I am not a fan of either the governor or his deputy. The following very factual and life stories, which illustrate the nonperformance of the Edo State government, would confirm that I am not their supporter. My principal interest for telling this story and discouraging my kinsmen not to participate in this plot is the stability of my state, Edo.
I was on vacation in my home state, Edo State, for about a month, December 25th 2005 to January 21st, 2006. Just before I left New York to Nigeria, one of my good friends called to advise me that I defer my home coming to future date because of the state of insecurity in Nigeria, most especially Edo State. He said that armed robbers have taken over the state. However, I defied my friend's advice and went to Nigeria. My friend's fear would have been realized on Tuesday, December 27, 2005, but for the driving skills of the driver of my rented car who sighted an arm robbery operation or hold up in progress at a corner of the street close to where Mr. Aburime had operated a medical clinic off New Lagos Road, New Benin, Benin City. This incidence took place at about 6:15 pm, Nigerian time, on the fateful day of December 27, 2005. I believe that the time of the armed robbery operation could still be considered late afternoon. My driver drove off the street with such a high speed, which informed other drivers and road users that something unusual was taking place on the street and they hysterically avoided the street. Meanwhile, wherever I went in Benin City during my vacation in Nigeria, there was a very heavy presence of police at police checkpoints. They were doing nothing but collecting twenty naira or more from the driver of any vehicle - either commercial or noncommercial, which drove their way.. I witnessed it. I am not speculating. My thoughts were that there are so many police checkpoints everywhere and yet armed robbery could take place in the City at near a broad daylight.
My other observation was the poor condition of the streets and roads in Benin City, as well its environs. All the streets and roads in the City and the environs seemed neglected and they are neglected. There was the story of the Edo State governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion's aborted trip to my hometown, Anegbette in Etsako Central Local Government Area, where he was to commission some community-sponsored and completed projects. The story was that the trip was aborted half way to Anegbette, precisely at Uromi. At Uromi the governor was said to have dispatched his security men to go and check if the road to Anegbette was in good condition for him and his entourage to drive through to Anegbette. The secret service officials returned to say the road was not in good condition and advised the governor to abort the trip.
The funny aspect of the entire story was that the governor, who was supposed to be the number one security officer of the state, was said to have telephoned His Royal Highness, Oliola Yakubu Ugbodaga, Igietsemeh II, the traditional ruler of Anegbette and the Clan Head of South Unemeh Clan, asking if he could guarantee his safety, should he (the governor) continued his journey to Anegbette despite his security men's warning that the road was unsafe. Naturally, the Oliola refused to accept such a penultimate responsibility. The governor was said to have then asked the Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Area, Mr. Paschal Ugbomeh, who was in his entourage, if he could assure him and his entourage safety, and the chairman said no. The governor and his entourage were reported to have then retired to Nova Hotel at Uromi where they had their lunch before returning to Benin City.
The reader may want to know that up to this moment that I submitted this piece for publication, the Edo State Government under the able leadership of Governor Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, our "action governor," and ably assisted by the Deputy Governor, Chief Michael Oghiadomhe, has not put the construction of this only road, which is only twenty kilometers, which connects Anegbette via Ugboha to Uromi and the other parts of the country, on their State's schedule of "to-do" items or in the State budget as one of the projects to be undertaken in the current or the next fiscal year. During the political campaigns I understood he visited Anegbette and promised the construction of the road among other many promises made to the people
My argument is that if the rumored impeachment was because of their nonperformance, it would have been understandable, but it is rather too late. The Edo State government under the leadership of Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Chief Michael Akhigbe has not been able to provide security and basic amenities for the people they are supposed to have been elected to govern. I have no doubt that Governor Igbinedion would be very much interested in the development of Benin City as an indigenous Bini son, but to have the streets of Benin rendered not motorable on his watch does not say any good of him. Moreover, it is expected that the Deputy Governor, Chief Michael Oghiadomhe, an indigene of Etsako Central Local Government Area would have paid attention to the even development of all parts of the state including Anegbette, which is the administrative head quarter of South Unemeh Clan; and also shares both geographically and administratively the same local government area with his Clan, Avianwu. I understood that Fugar, his hometown is nicknamed "little Paris," because of its remarkable evolution when Admiral Michael Akhigbe was second in command in General Abdul Salami Abubakar Administration of June 1998 to May 1999 - eleven months.
In consideration of the forgoing, I conclude that if these people were actually elected to serve the people, they would understand that good governance is to provide for the basic needs of the people who elected them. Election to public office has its attendant responsibility, that is, to serve the people. If the rumored impeachment of the governor were based on nonperformance, his deputy would not be a proper person to succeed him. Since the constitution stipulates that he has to be succeeded by his deputy, the whole exercise is paradoxical. I urge the legislators from Edo North, who constitute the group of four not to be tempted to give in to the blackmail because it would do them no good. Chief Lucky Igbinedion must be left to complete his tenure. And I say it loud and clear that none of these stories narrated above of the nonperformance of the governor must be taken to suggest that if it was up to me, I would advocate for his impeachment and destabilize Edo State, the "Heart Beat of Nigeria."
