On-oshiomhole-versus-obaseki-some-words-of-advice
September 7, 2020 | News
ON OSHIOMHOLE VERSUS OBASEKI – SOME WORDS OF ADVICE
While I do not have any personal relationship with either Adams Oshiomhole or Godwin Obaseki, and even though I am not from Edo State, but I felt there is need for me to chip in some words of advice, as regards the fallout of these two politicians who used to be close.
I remember then when Oshiomhole was accused of imposing Obaseki on the Edo State APC as his preferred Gubernatorial candidate, in spite of the fact that he has always seemed to have been against ‘godfatherism.’ But he played that godfatherism role when he imposed Obaseki, who was not even well known before then, as his political godson, and anointed him, nurtured him and eventually succeeded in placing him at the Edo State Government House. That is typical of a man who often says one thing and ends up doing something else.
As such, right from his days as a Labour Leader, I have always disagreed with Oshiomhole on labour issues, especially with his manner of calling off national strikes aimed to force/coerce the then Federal Government of Olusegun Obasanjo to bring down the prices of petroleum products. I faulted him severally to the extent that he called my then Mobile Nitel line: 090-508697, and also called my then Nitel office land line: 053-254750 at that time, and requested saying that I should come for a national debate with him in Abuja, in either at the AIT or the NTA. But I ignored his offer for a national debate. Oshiomhole is best known as an Orator and a sweet-talker, who often times, should not be taken too seriously. Though, his style of leadership is too brash, but the point here is that you do not bite the finger that feeds you.
If there are underlying issues between Obaseki and Oshiomhole, I think both of them should handle it maturely and amicably without this public display of a disagreement between the two leaders. The point I want to make here too is that the recent news, stating that Obaseki said Oshiomhole ought to take permission from him before entering Edo State, because he is the Chief Security Officer of the State, is uncalled for. I think this is becoming an abuse of official power by Obaseki.
My personal opinion on this is that Oshiomhole is an indigene of Edo state and doesn't need permission to visit his natural birth place. The duty of the Governor is to make Edo State safe for everybody, which includes Oshiomhole. We don't need VISAs to live in Nigeria because we are Nigerians and so, Oshiomhole doesn't need approvals from any person to enter Edo state. Both men should also restrain their boys fighting one another for the sake of power. Oshiomhole should not look at/assume/consider himself as the ‘lord of APC’ because he will not be the Chairman of the ruling party forever. And he is not the first, neither will he be the last, to occupy that seat of the APC Chairmanship.
Governor Obaseki is not the first civilian Governor of Edo state, and his abuse of official power will cause him a lot of problems when he eventually leaves office. Those running after him now are only loyal to Obaseki because of his present status as governor of Edo state. The moment power shifts hands, he will realize himself because he will be deserted by his many friends now. Power is transient, and that is what he doesn't understand now because of the sweetness of power. In the words of former Governor of California in US, Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger, after he was abandoned by those who were close to him while in power: "When I was in an important position, they always compliment me, and when I lost this position, they forgot about me... Do not trust your position or the amount of money you have, nor your power, nor your intelligence, it will not last."
Those are strong and profound words of wisdom from a man who has come to realize that everything in this life is vanity upon vanity. Obaseki and Oshiomhole should grow up before they get to that point.
Zik Gbemre.
February 26, 2020
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes as if Those Were Our Causes
While I do not have any personal relationship with either Adams Oshiomhole or Godwin Obaseki, and even though I am not from Edo State, but I felt there is need for me to chip in some words of advice, as regards the fallout of these two politicians who used to be close.
I remember then when Oshiomhole was accused of imposing Obaseki on the Edo State APC as his preferred Gubernatorial candidate, in spite of the fact that he has always seemed to have been against ‘godfatherism.’ But he played that godfatherism role when he imposed Obaseki, who was not even well known before then, as his political godson, and anointed him, nurtured him and eventually succeeded in placing him at the Edo State Government House. That is typical of a man who often says one thing and ends up doing something else.
As such, right from his days as a Labour Leader, I have always disagreed with Oshiomhole on labour issues, especially with his manner of calling off national strikes aimed to force/coerce the then Federal Government of Olusegun Obasanjo to bring down the prices of petroleum products. I faulted him severally to the extent that he called my then Mobile Nitel line: 090-508697, and also called my then Nitel office land line: 053-254750 at that time, and requested saying that I should come for a national debate with him in Abuja, in either at the AIT or the NTA. But I ignored his offer for a national debate. Oshiomhole is best known as an Orator and a sweet-talker, who often times, should not be taken too seriously. Though, his style of leadership is too brash, but the point here is that you do not bite the finger that feeds you.
If there are underlying issues between Obaseki and Oshiomhole, I think both of them should handle it maturely and amicably without this public display of a disagreement between the two leaders. The point I want to make here too is that the recent news, stating that Obaseki said Oshiomhole ought to take permission from him before entering Edo State, because he is the Chief Security Officer of the State, is uncalled for. I think this is becoming an abuse of official power by Obaseki.
My personal opinion on this is that Oshiomhole is an indigene of Edo state and doesn't need permission to visit his natural birth place. The duty of the Governor is to make Edo State safe for everybody, which includes Oshiomhole. We don't need VISAs to live in Nigeria because we are Nigerians and so, Oshiomhole doesn't need approvals from any person to enter Edo state. Both men should also restrain their boys fighting one another for the sake of power. Oshiomhole should not look at/assume/consider himself as the ‘lord of APC’ because he will not be the Chairman of the ruling party forever. And he is not the first, neither will he be the last, to occupy that seat of the APC Chairmanship.
Governor Obaseki is not the first civilian Governor of Edo state, and his abuse of official power will cause him a lot of problems when he eventually leaves office. Those running after him now are only loyal to Obaseki because of his present status as governor of Edo state. The moment power shifts hands, he will realize himself because he will be deserted by his many friends now. Power is transient, and that is what he doesn't understand now because of the sweetness of power. In the words of former Governor of California in US, Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger, after he was abandoned by those who were close to him while in power: "When I was in an important position, they always compliment me, and when I lost this position, they forgot about me... Do not trust your position or the amount of money you have, nor your power, nor your intelligence, it will not last."
Those are strong and profound words of wisdom from a man who has come to realize that everything in this life is vanity upon vanity. Obaseki and Oshiomhole should grow up before they get to that point.
Zik Gbemre.
February 26, 2020
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes as if Those Were Our Causes