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Having witnessed the Anambra State tragicomedy in 2004 in which the governor was kidnapped, I would be shedding tears of lies to express any shock regarding a new drama in Oyo State, where, in an attempt to impeach the governor had been turned into a battleground. And the warlord is no other person than Lamidi Adedibu, a man that can simply be described as a white fowl who does not respect its age. It is sad that people like Lamidi Adedibu and Chris Uba are still relevant in today’s politics. I think it is a slap on the citizens to constantly witness a group of thugs invading House of Assembly with sporadic gunshots.
The trouble did not start yesterday. Lamidi Adedibu started his dangerous amala politics the very day the governor refused to take order from him. He always wants to rule from his den at Molete, subjugating Adedoja to a mere figurehead in his office at Agodi. The man considers himself as the Alpha and Omega of Oyo State politics. His words have become law. He takes pride in the fact that whomever he supports instantly gains recognition and eventually becomes number one citizen of Oyo state. But if he is so popular, why can’t he himself fight for the position? Or is he too old to assume the office?
We should not forget the man had once boasted and vowed that Adedoja would not win second term as Oyo State governor. And as 2007 is knocking his door, Adedibu must make sure his earlier prediction comes to pass; hence the need to remove the governor by all means possible. Who is this troublemaker called Adedibu? He is a “force to reckon withâ€, according to Obasanjo. And what exactly did Obasanjo mean by saying Adedibu “is a force to reckon with†despite the mayhem he is causing? Was he referring to the fact that without Adedibu PDP (Peoples Deceiving People) would not have captured Oyo State? As a result, Adedibu has responded to the president’s compliment by publicly endorsed him for a third term in office.
Meanwhile, Adedibu believes Ladoja is a betrayal. This invariably means Ladoja must have promised him something before he assumed the office as governor. What did candidate Ladoja promised the Ibadan godfather? If he did, why renegade such promise? Perhaps Obasanjo is on the side of Adedibu because he never liked disloyalty. This is evident in the outcome of Ngige versus Uba. The latter is now dining at Aso Rock despite his confession to have rigged Anambra election in favour of his estranged godson, Ngige, who is still in the pink book of his party. Remember that Obasanjo passionately believes there is honour among thieves or armed robbers.
Did Ladoja not know the extent someone like Adedibu can go when they felt stabbed on the back? Did Ladoja not know he would be impelled to do Adedibu’s bid when he was prostrating here and there like bridegrooms in Yoruba culture before being allowed to take their brides? Ladoja should have known or be enlightened that the ways of political contractors are always through their mouths. They understand only what goes into their torn pockets. And they would stop at nothing to acquire as much wealth as they could. That is the ultimate of being a politician – in Nigeria I should say.
Although one can as well blame those candidates seeking the protection or support of godfathers, these power brokers, I believe, are being shield by higher authority with power of nuclear weapons to destroy any estranged godson that refused to do their bids. Moreover, a power broker who does you a favour will expect you to return it. It has been the part and parcel of politics in Nigeria, and it is sad that we are being reminded of operation “wetie†era. How do you expect Adedibu to feel when Mr. President described him as “a force to reckon with� What do you think would be going on Uba’s mind when Mr. President complimented him with the famous “there is honour among thieves�
Ubadibu syndrome will continue to be relevant in the politics of Nigeria until candidates themselves start to respect the electorates by shunning godfathers’ protection during campaigns. Otherwise, godfathers will always be enemy within. Listen to Adedibu’s ranting: “Impeachment is the only solution. We are going to impeach him whether he likes it or not because we don’t want him again. We are tired of him and by the grace of God if Ladoja is impeached today, I am in control.†Who is this man for goodness sake? Is he the deputy governor? House speaker? Perhaps he has such brazen effrontery to rant and rave about the impeachment because he was the architect of Ladoja’s gubernatorial success; and because he belongs to the Nigerian Sacred Society. He is indeed a force to reckon with.
Unfortunately, it is the people that suffer in the long run. Political godfathers are in the habit of intimidating citizens. They may send their wards to collect illegal tolls from poor market men and women, reallocate shops, and they can even lock up innocent people in order to extort money from them. They engage in the acts of thuggery, hooliganism and mischief. They behave as if we are in a Banana Republic. They have no respect for the law of the land. Reader, are we in a lawless state?
There is a lesson to be learnt especially for gubernatorial candidates. Do not allow anyone to rig election in your favour. It is definitely better to lose “election†than to rely on thugs cum godfather to win it for you. Bear it in mind that such political godfathers would always turn against you should you fail to do their bids. Any candidate can win “election†in Oyo State without Lamidi Adedibu. For instance, Lam Adesina became the governor in 1999 without Lamidi Adedibu. It is wrong for any candidate to think he or she cannot become Oyo State governor without promising Adedibu something. It is our collective responsibility to finally curb the excess of political thugs masquerading as political godfathers.
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Posted by Robot| 29.12.2005 19:03