These are not the best of times for delectable governor Godwin Obaseki as his fate now hangs in the balance; forces outside his control seems set to humiliate him before Election Day. The puzzle is not so much about his impending removal but the manner the plot is being concocted. Field reports indicate that the governor alongside his deputy may be impeached in the coming days to pave way for a seamless APC victory at the polls. The reports indicate that the election would be conducted by the APC controlled Speaker of the new House of Assembly which everybody knows is undemocratic. The newspaperman reporters spoke to people across the length and breadth of the country and the response was one of indifference and surrender. In Lagos, a prominent Lawyer said when the former governor of Lagos State was removed in a similar circumstance what happened? He said that action was made possible because there is no genuine democracy in Nigeria! In Abuja, public Affairs Analysts told the newspaperman that there was nothing new in the Edo crisis as everyone knows that there are so much pretence and deception at the top. He said Obaseki cannot be spared because he played politics as it should be, forgetting that this is not London or America where there are strong Institutions to check fraudulent practices. He pointed out that those defecting from his side confirmed that Nigeria’s politics was predicated on money—not delivery of services! In Abuja, an economists predicted that Obaseki would be removed through foul means because those after him hold the reins of power and are not afraid to use it. The economists said it was unfortunate that Nigeria’s law courts cannot save him—even if the people voted in his support. No one is talking about credibility anymore; the same applies to the free and fair election; the level of intolerance has ebbed badly and there appears to be not visible structure in place. If INEC is really involved how come there is so much tension? If they were, the talk of physical violence, breach of electoral rules would not be there! There are electoral provisions alright, but of what use is that when opponents are on the verge of suppressing an elected and properly constituted government? From London, a constitutional lawyer lamented the depth the nation has sunk in morality since the APC came to power. For example, despite the COVID-19 pandemic few appear to be aware of the restrictions—no spacing, no wearing of masks etc. People are no longer afraid of being persecuted anymore. He said all forms decorum has been thrown to the winds and unfortunately, those perpetrating this act holds the gun and the money but lacks character and morality. Ironically, investigation shows that the PDP appears hamstrung and has at best been shouting to no avail-like dogs that bark and cannot bite. Now the APC in Edo is so sure of victory that they are already sharing political positions! Nigeria has never had it so bad. No other party–there are supposed to be 19 in all–but are so insignificant. The Institutions that are supposed to act as check and balances have since gone to sleep; the law courts are so polarized; the security agencies compromised with the police openly taking sides. Can anyone see the rise of social vices such as banditry, kidnapping, terrorism in all of this? So the question then is: What is the aim of the APC led government in Nigeria? To subvert democracy or what? Nevertheless, Nigerians may have been cowed, but their God is still alive. The advice—though belated –is that the actors on the stage should be mindful of the type of Nigeria they are going to bequeath to their children. If what is playing out in the Edo elections has degenerated to the use of force then it is unthinkable what Nigeria would be like by the 2030s. In the end, Obaseki may be removed by physical and unorthodox means, but he has done his best to adhere to rules and regulations. The strange fact and reality is that there is no true leadership in Nigeria
