By: Cecil Esekhaigbe
The primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the citizenry. The Heartbeat of the Nation has hardly acquitted herself in the face of socio-economic complexities in the form of notorious armed robbers, kidnappers, prostitution and human trafficking. At the inception of democracy in 1999, the signs of meaningful governance began to emerge under Prof. Osunbor’s administration which was shortlived for obvious reasons. The emergence of the Comrade Governor Oshiomhole, redefined governance by embarking on people-centric governance. The education sector witnessed the Red Roof revolution with other infrastructural developments in roads, hospital and sports sectors. Even with these strides, Oshiomhole like any other mortal mind was not perfect, as seen in his faulty calculations in the politics of succession, blind-trust and the seeming inequitable touch in the 3 senatorial districts of the state. My senatorial district, the Edo Central, was largely hamstrung in the tripod stand. It is instructive to note that the dearth of credible leadership with the attendant perennial loss in elections, caused the hamstrung injuries in Edo central.
The emergence of Governor Obaseki was largely hailed as a special purpose vehicle to consolidate on the good foundation laid by his political mentor and predecessor Comrade Oshiomhole, having served in a strategic position as the head of the economic team. Obaseki kicked off with a scientific approach to governance with clear sectoral development strategy. Worthy of note, is the image cleansing of the state from the vexatious tag of the main exporter of prostitution and human trafficking. His bold steps in this regard and the rehabilitation of the infamous Libya returnees is commendable. Hardly has he settled down for governance, when the evil wind of Deviation From Target (DFT) came blowing, through attempts at building of personal political structure, contestation for power he already has, dismemberment of political stakeholders and rechristening them as money mongers.
Oshiomhole’s attempt to arrest the DFT has snowballed into a crisis of confidence, that is now threatening the fabric of unity of Edo state. This crisis of confidence in a political family which ordinarily should be nipped at the bud, has been exploited by political jobbers who have no visible means of livelihood aside politics. They have continually fanned embers of hatred and political air pollution.
What is more worrisome, however is the inaction of some prominent Edo stakeholders propelled by ethnic calculations and quest for revenge over personal animosities. The crisis got to a crescendo with the Edo State Assembly impasse.
While I will leave the jurisprudence of the proclamation and its appropriateness to the concerned organ (the judiciary), let us be reasonable and be guided by the limitations of the Rule of Law and the inviolability of Rule of Justice. The solution to this imbroglio lies in our collective efforts as Edo people and not a belated call for a presidential intervention.
The resurgence of thuggery which Obaseki had confronted headlong when he came onboard, has created an apocalypse in the minds of the citizenry. The effrontery of thugs and cultists is frightening, not only because of the trajectory but due to the insidious effect. From my recollection, Boko Haram started when the politicians engaged thugs and street urchins for political consideration. This is akin to “dancing with the bears, because when you stop dancing, the bears do not stop”. The consequence of legitimizing thuggery and cultism is cancerous and long-lasting.
Thuggery and cultism seem to have been legitimized in the state with patronages of important stakeholders. There is a school of thought which believes that some important stakeholders are either members of the cults or patrons of the cultists. A situation where thugs brandish dangerous weapons freely on the streets unchallenged, is a recipe for state of nature.
Edo state with a population of about 3.21million people, has about 700,000 Small Arms and Light Weapons in the hands of unauthorized users (the thugs and the cultist). There is also a theory that added a new dimension, as thugs are believed to be imported into the state from other states for political calculation. Let it be clear that the wages of thuggery and cultism is complex insecurity. If this trend is not checked, the state will soon descend into anarchy. I would have loved to say God forbid, but unforced error is a human creation. What shall it profit a man to gain power and lose lives and properties of innocent people?
In my article titled “Governor Obaseki and the Cocktail of Endorsements”, I enjoined the Governor to close ranks with his political mentor and sort out whatever misunderstanding between them. I opined that the seeming war was not a just one and has no justification. The content of that article is still valid for meaningful peacebuilding. I am in touch with both leaders and will continue to preach peace. The last opportunity must not be taken for granted. The time to shame the political jobbers and the beneficiaries of this senseless war is now. The security and welfare of Edo people is sacrosanct and remains so. The hemorrhage from this crisis is better imagined than told. The huge resources channeled for the prosecution of this senseless quest for heroism can be used for productive purposes. It will get worse if insecurity is allowed to flourish.
My dear Governor, our dear state is pregnant with complex insecurity, and only an immediate abortion through genuine reconciliation and focused governance is a desideratum. When insecurity through complex emergencies hold sway, no amount of security vote of a state can eclipse it. I am also not sure the Federal Government has the resources to come to the aid of a state with self-inflicted security injuries. I thought Edo state should no longer be source of negative news with the concerted efforts to eradicate the vices of the past. My brother, Governor, like Christ said, my peace I give to you, may you embrace peace. My friend and our National Chairman, my prayer for you is to continue to place God above human consideration, forgive and forget any form of provocation. You cannot destroy the house you labored to build. May God make us an instrument of His peace.
Long Live Edo State. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Maj. Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe rtd. PhD.,
The Okanlete of Esanland.
