A critical analysis of the intervention of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the politics and governance process of Edo State from 2008 till date reveals in unmistaken sense his capacity in breaking new grounds where previous efforts have failed. Coming from a background that was known for agitation, no one expected the Comrade Governor to possess this uncanny ability to sail through the murky political waters and come out with achievements that could be seen and felt by all. From 2008 till date, the man has been on a redemption mission explaining away the depth of the decay he inherited and his desire to make things happen for good in the interest of all. It is understandable therefore that the dominant opposition Party, the PDP would not have anything to do with a government that has come to put a lie on the hitherto claim that the state was poor and thus cannot flourish like others across the country.
Adams Oshiomhole may be diminutive, but his ambitions are usually tall. He may not possess the imposing stature of a goliath, but he sure knows where to throw his sling like David to hit the right target. He deploys his oratory, his tantrums and punches in the direction of his political opponents, stressing at every point in time, the need for them to seek repentance over their long years of misrule in the State. Were events to move in the direction of his wishes, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole would want to build sky scrapers in every available space in the State, fix all the existing roads in the State, fix all hospitals and schools, and create an Eldorado of some sort, so that he could remain permanently in the minds of the people forever. But wishes are never horses.
For a man with such bubbling passion for development, these are some of his dreams for Edo, but alas! the State’s resources have become insufficient to meet the growing challenges in the State. But Comrade won’t give up. He definitely wouldn’t want to be counted among those leaders who relish in lamentations rather than using available resources to contend with developmental challenges as they unfold. The positive narrative in Edo State today lends credence to Oshiomhole’s can-do spirit, an attribute that is peculiar with the average Edo mind who truly desires to add value to the well being of the people.
It is no longer a matter of doubt that Comrade Oshiomhole inherited a decayed state with public infrastructure begging for attention. That has since become the acceptable creed by both the opposition PDP and the ruling APC. It is also no longer a matter of doubt that he has been able to up the ante and raised the bar in public governance and accountability. That also has become the sing-song in everyone’s lip. What is rather in doubt these days which a lot of Edo people are talking and worrying about is how to groom a similar successor of Oshiomhole’s performing mindset to urge on the continuity mantra, and sustain this developmental tsunami for generations to come. That way, all the gains of yesterday and today, would be fully assembled to prepare the way for a solid future; a future that will be characterized or defined by capacity, merit, performance and passion for development like we presently have.
Having secured a second mandate to continue his developmental strides, his thirst for doing more appears unquenchable. He seldom explains to his onlookers; “if only we have the type of resources that our sister states boast of, we would have turned our dear State into an Eldorado of some sort. There is so much to do yet so little in terms of resources accruing to us”. That simply explains the inner workings of a man who is desirous to solving developmental problems rather than shy away from them. As one who does not live in Edo State, I have had the privilege of travelling across the major towns and villages in the state each time duty brings me back home, and I am amazed at the level of transformation that is so evident. I often wonder how politics affects the individual mind; and often wonder why it is difficult for the opposition to acknowledge the level of performance of this great Edo leader. In my probing, I was told that it would be a sacrilege for the opposition to ever acknowledge his achievements especially knowing the unedifying history of the opposition in the state.
But talking seriously, it is instructive to commend a man who has done so much for my state. Aside from being one of Oshiomhole’s fans even though I have never had audience with him, he is one man that will go down in history with several legacies of performance and achievements. For a man to arouse the moral conscience of the state from its earlier hopeless situation to a level that is now alluring and vivacious, promoting integrity and distinction in public service and governance, he deserves every bit of encomium one could shower on him. Even those who fail to acknowledge him today, will sooner than later discover that his place in history is already assured in superlative adjectives.
Abubakar wrote in from Abuja
