Analyzed from the perspective of their reunion, and rejuvenation of their friendship, the fact cannot be ruled out that the level of peace in Edo’s politics is likely bound to be tolerable, particularly as the trio have in the disagreements that transpired between them been making utterances and public speeches, interviews, press conferences, and social media presence, and thereby heating up the polity.
If there is any saying that has consistently stood the test of time on Nigeria’s political landscape, it is unarguably the one credited to William Clay, which says “This is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests.”
Against the foregoing backdrop, permit this writer to confess that the foregoing apothegm formed the basis of the thought that literarily kept scrolling across his subliminal like a phantasmagoria when heyesterday, Friday, September 29, read a news storyappositely titled “Obaseki, Others Eulogize Senator Alimikhena’s Wife”.
As reported in the online edition of the Nigerian Observer of September 29, 2023, it is reported that“The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, led top government functionaries and other dignitaries to the funeral mass of the wife of former Senator who represented Edo North Senatorial District, Francis Alimikhena, Monica, who died at the age of 69 years.” The aspect of the reportage that piqued the curiosity of this writerwas unarguably the photo used in illustrating the story where the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and the incumbent deputy governor, Comrade Phillip Shaibu were seen captured in a photograph during the condolence visit.
Where do I begin? Without resort to adding salt to injury in this context as I am glad that the troika hasseemingly resolved their political differences, as signifies by the photograph, and thus now back again as friends, it is expedient to say that their reunion has no doubt found expression in the saying of William Clay that that goes thus, “This is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests.”
In fact, the photograph is a reminder ofHenry John Temple, Britain’s Prime Minister from 1850 to 1860, who made the following statement during those years, a sentence which has become an everlasting remark in history and international relations and that is: “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual.”
Without a doubt, the statement has over the years become an example for all politicians, particularly Nigerian politicians, as they attempt to set their relations on this basis. It means that politicians in this part of the world make efforts to put their own interests on top of their agenda in their political activities.
Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to recall that Winston Churchill, the renowned British Prime Minister, had stated during the years of WWII that “I am ready to put my hands in the hands of the devil for the progress of my country.” Apart from the value of this statement and whether this approach is ethically correct or not, it must be said that this is the political reality of the world of Nigerian politicians, which can in this context be expressed from the colloquial perspective that says, “Chop make I chop”.
In a similar context, Ambrose Bierce in his view said, Politics is a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles; the conduct of public affairs for private advantage”.
In fact, it is pragmatic to in this context make reference to Awdhesh Singh’s view on the nature of relations that exist between politicians. For the sake of clarity, Singh is the author of “Pearls of Wisdom from Everyday Life”. In his view, he said, “Let me give you one sound advice about politics. If you wish to be a good person, don’t join politics? If you wish to be a successful politician, don’t try to be a good person?
Ostensibly to substantiate his view, he said, “I fully agree with Niccolo Machiavelli, “Politics have no relation to morals.” So, if you wish to be a good person, avoid everything anything that politicians do. Hence, you must never ditch your friends, nor should you ever try to develop friendship with your enemies.”
He continued, and said, “Politicians are like a gang of thugs who rob one section of the society, keep the bulk of the loot with themselves and share a small part of the loot with their followers during and after elections, in this way, they make their followers happy by giving them benefits without the need of committing any crime.
“So the top politicians are not only corrupt themselves, but they also corrupt others so that they can’t survive without them. Hence, most people hate the politicians and still they follow them because they share their loots with them during and after the elections.
“John Acton said it rightly, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority.”
“However, a decent person abhors the idea of looting people or exploiting a section of the society to become powerful and wealthy.
“Hence, if you wish to be a good person, don’t play politics in your personal lives with your friends and family, and never imitate politicians.”
Given the foregoing backdrop, it is not a surprise to not a few political pundits that Oshiomhole, Obaseki and Shaibu have once again, come together, after their prolong bickering. In fact, seeing the trio in the same photograph, I couldn’t exit the web page that hosts the news but in awe ruminated over how they came to that applauding extentof peacemaking as they might have sat together, discussed and threw banters, to the consternation and admiration of many Edolites and other Nigerians from far and wide that graced the event.
As you read this piece, you may have been wondering why their reunion has become topical to this writer. The reason cannot be farfetchedas it is no more news that prior to 2016 when their friendship became a public knowledge that they have maintained a relationship built on shared common interest, particularly relating to politics,. However, tensions have been arising along the line, either between Obaseki and Oshiomhole, between Shaibu and Oshiomhole or between Shaibu and Obaseki due to “Chop-I-Chop” brand of politics they are accustomed to. It is good that they are back as the differences which once divides them is phasing out, and it is nice at that as Edolites will have now have respite, so to say, as they have not had peace since 2016 when Oshiomhole handed over the keys to Osadebay Avenue to Obaseki and Shaibu as they have been heating up the polity.
Analyzed from the perspective of their reunion, and rejuvenation of their friendship, the fact cannot be ruled out that the level of peace in Edo’s politics is likely bound to be tolerable, particularly as the trio have in the disagreements that transpired between them been making utterances and public speeches, interviews, press conferences, and social media presence, and thereby heating up the polity.
Without resorting to calumniating any or all of the personalities in this context, it is expedient to say that throughout the disagreements that characterize their somewhat triangular friendship that their words have the power to unite or divide, inspire or incite, and influence the trajectory of Edo State. The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as words have the power to shape narratives, build bridges, and foster unity. However, when used irresponsibly, they can also cause division, incite violence, and sow seeds of discord.
In fact, they have been recklessly unmindful of their words to the detriment of peace in the State, particularly as their actions sometimes rubbed off on maintenance of unity across ethnic, party and religious lines in the State.
The reason for sounding this way in this context cannot be farfetched as Edolites and Nigerians at large will not in a hurry forget the year, 2019, when Oshiomhole as the then National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu for being responsible for the unfortunate attack against the Governor, Oba of Lagos and other dignitaries to the first convocation of Edo University, Iyamho in Edo State.
In his disclosure, Oshiomhole insisted that the Deputy Governor mobilized over 200 commercial motorcycle riders (Okada riders) and thugs to the venue of the convocation of the Edo University to embarrass him and his guests.
Oshiomhole said the whole essence of the attack on him was to create an impression that he was no longer popular at home. Ostensibly to buttress his allegation against Shaibu, Oshiomhole in his Abuja residence, urged Obaseki to caution Shaibu, whom he accused of having “high propensity for violence”.
In a similar vein, many political observers and apolitical Nigerians few weeks ago witnessed how Shaibu faced the worst public humiliation of his political life as he has been at loggerhead with his principal, Obaseki ostensibly over who will become the next Edo State Governor.
As witnessed, and as widely reported in the media, the youthful Shaibu has been fighting the battle for his political life. Not only that, he has in the past few weeks been fighting to remain relevant, even as his principal meted public humiliations on him.However, given the recent peaceful development between them, there is no denying the fact that the bickering has been thrown into the dustbin of history. Let’s hope so!
However, while applauding the seeming peace the trio have made among themselves, particularly as witnessed when they paid a condolence visit to Senator Alimikhena over the death of his wife, it is expedient to urge them to eschew rivalry, if not for anything, but for the sake of development in Edo State and the wellbeing of its people.
Credit; Opinion Nigeria
