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Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “Not
Gold but only men can make a Nation great and strong … men who for
truth and honour's sake stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who
work, while others sleep, who dare while others shy, they build the
pillar deep and lift them to the sky”. Looking at Adams Oshiomhole's
antecedent is remembering also a man in history called LENIN, who
was a great thunderous paradox of a man. Lenin accomplished such
staggering task. He was a short, stocky figure with a big head set
down on his shoulders, bad and bulging little eyes, a snub nose,
wide generous mouth and heavy chin. The entire civilized world came
to recognize Lenin at a glance. Usually dressed in shabby clothes,
with trousers too long for his legs and unimpressive in appearance,
a leader purely by virtue of intellect-colourless, homourless,
uncompromising and detached, without picturesque idiosyncrasies, but
with the power of explaining profound ideas in simple terms and
combining shrewdness with greatest Audacity. Many of the attributes
of the man Lenin perfectly fit into Oshiomhole's life styles. This
is one man who suddenly came into limelight in 1999, when he became
the President of Nigerian Labour Congress. He is a motivational
figure and interesting phenomena. He could be described as a radical
unionist, activist, a dogged fighter, and above all a growing
politician with a progressive mine. He is a leader with two
important personal characters-one who definitely knows where he is
going, and two, his ability to persuade others to go along with him.
That is the confidence the entire Edo State citizens and beyond
reposed in him. If not that Nigerian like burdening their
remembrance with heaviness that has gone, Oshiomhole would have long
been the Governor of Edo State. But, since this country do not like
doing right things at the right times, what then kept Oshiomhole's
mandate, was his consistency and faith that saw him through the
turbulent water of Nigerian politics. And he has been vindicated.
There are those who feel and believe this country should be pocketed
and under their supervision. Oshiomhole has at last proved too large
for their pocket to contain and a difficult “Nut” to crack.
Progressive minds within this country regard Oshiomhole's victory as
not a mere victory for an individual, but also as a victory for our
nascent democracy, for the up-coming rule of law, Justice and
fair-play. How I wished Oshiomhole's court verdict came first in the
country, I think many political Irokos and giants would have gone,
gone the path of Prof. Osunbor, the path of dishonesty, of cheats
and misrepresentations suffice to say the man who boldly accepted
the verdict and told his supporters to accept it too, knew he was
not the right person to be there, yet he was there, with no
conscience as a learned Gentleman. He erred by not going to equity
with clean hands, a clear testimony how Nigerians prefer disgrace
than the path of honour. In fact the morality we have seems to take
the shape of Ambition. Beyond money and money worth, our only
natural blessing should be popularity. It was that popularity that
brought the deep meaning of the wonderful support of the masses that
lies heavily on us, which encumbers the whole movements of our mind
and over our noblest faculties of spreading nightmarish sleep. This
faith in wonderful support should be the common refuge, for all who
believe, as many will ever do, that man's true good lies without
him, not within. It should be more profitable and honourable for our
so called leaders to always identify and accept their defects.
Politically, there is a deep lying struggle in the whole society- a
boundless grinding collision of the truth and falsehood. The
political freedom which hitherto is the object of these efforts is
toward a higher freedom than a mere freedom from oppression by
fellow country men. The path of truth has emerged and Oshiomhole has
knocked off unjustifiable rulership. Seldom can the unhappy be
persuaded that the evil of the day is sufficient for it, and the
ambitious will not be contented with present splendor, but paints
yet more glorious triumphs, on the cloud-curtain of the future.
After all said and done Oshiomhole is justifiably acknowledged as
the right victor. As to whom much is given much is also expected, he
is expected to transform Edo State, having acquired in depth
knowledge of the plight of the masses. He is expected to bring his
wealth of knowledge to bear in governance. Having, in a unique
manner accorded the President of the country, Musa Yar'Adua his due
compliment at Presidential villa, Abuja Oshiomhole has indicated his
preparedness to work with others, and has pledged unflinching
allegiance and support of Government of Yar'Adua. Even at this,
Oshiomhole should not take his mind off the ideology of his
immediate constituency which of course, is the Action congress, AC,
and moreover the masses, that gave him the mandate he rode to become
the Governor.
Expectedly Oshiomhole has assured his teeming supports in his usual
characteristics manner, his willingness to bring governance closer
to the people, while assuring that “The victory is not mine but your
collective will”. Notably, I think it is commendable for his earlier
warning to the eighteen (18) Local Government Chairmen, of the
state, not to embark on using public funds to place congratulatory
messages for him, but rather for the development of the council.
This come to counter what many states have been indulging in, by
using media to showcase their undevelopmental strides. And they
think that is how to become popular, many have had day dreams to
fancy governance through Advertisement, without consideration that
outward changes should be in recording progress, which can be no
doubt to anyone. To us who live in the midst of all this, we see
continually the faith, hope and practice of everyone clamouring
around the seat of government one way or other, it is apt to seem
quite natural, and as if it could never have been otherwise.
Nevertheless, if we reflected a little, the political ecclesiastical
or other outward institutions considered embracing, but a limited
portion of man's interest, which by no means the highest portion
which practically addresses the finite, modified developments, when
they take the shape of immediate 'motives' as hope of reward, or as
fear of punishment. Whatever is the case, there is a high hope and
expectation that Oshiomhole will re-position Edo State. His
Administration should strive to do without the influence of the
godfathers/godmothers; favoritism and he must take advantage of the
resources of the state. We pray that Oshiomhole as much as he is
being loved, should be able to make Edo State witness rapid
development without the brigandish nature of those who often
mislead, misdirect and misguide Government.
Most interesting aspect of Oshiomhole's victory is that the verdict
is delivered in the same country that the final of any Appeal has
never favour an opposition. No doubt that his faith, activities and
leadership qualities has been the catalyst. We also believe that his
years in Unionism will enable him face the challenges ahead of him.
And his deep understanding and vast knowledge in managing crises
should also give him an insight to the problem of the state. He
should be able to aptly harness human and material resources for the
betterment of all. Though analysts are wary for wrong history not to
repeat itself, Oshiombole is expected to transit quickly from his
aluta style of doing things to becoming a real politician. Sequel to
this, Oshiomhole is being reported to insist that henceforth he
should be referred to as “Comrade Governor” instead of “Your
Excellency” politely, I can argue that, that may not yet make a rosy
news as it has not translated into any meaningful development,
neither does it give hope to hopeless, nor create jobs opportunities
for the unemployed youth in the society. In Nigeria, one can not
give vivid prediction of a man's mind, until he has proved
otherwise. For his constituency, the labour union, they have a cause
to Jubilate with one of them. Oshiomhole's victory has proved their
justification to handle and spearhead the cause of the commoners.
Likely, what they present may usher in afresh new concept of
leadership into the political structure of this country. The labour
Union's solidarity for one of them is no doubt an illumination of
what the Union means, that they may be better politicians besides
being welfarists. If Oshiomhole. Dare deviate from his lofty aims
and goals, history will not forget and forgive him, but if he upheld
to his promises, the entire labour, masses and the Nation will
surely buy into his foresight, vision and wisdom, even though his
leadership acumen, is not contestable. We hope and believe that he
will strike a monumental success against the organized forces that
rape the society; against arranged forces of society that fulfill
their works; against the powerful forces seen working in wasteful;
against the chaotic nature of the society; neither, with all these
evils more or less clearly before him, can we be despaired of the
fortune of the society. Despair or even despondency in that respect
appears to us, in all cases, a groundless feeling. All and all we
must have faith; it is the hope and expectation that the citizens of
Edo State must keep faith in Adams Oshiomhole, Aluta Continua,
Victoria Aceta. As you have won all your legal battles, the onus of
proof of your managerial prowess as regards those successes recorded
by you as the Nation's No. 1 Labour Leader shall be the
transformation of your electioneering promises into real
developments that will surely move Edo state to the next level.
Comrade Governor, welcome on board.
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