In the second and last installment of this header – the first part on Monday, July 1, 2024, having dealt with the High Chief Francis Inegbeniki’s angle to the instant issue of “suitability” of Senator Monday Okpebholo for Governor of Edo State – I plead to recall a seemingly anecdotal but factual reporting on March 29, 2024, by Mr John Mayaki, a topshot of the Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dubbed as a “Media icon,” Mayaki, who’s vowed to work against Sen. Okpebholo (APC, Edo Central), in the September 21, 2024, governorship election, had captured, in lucid, descriptive, and interpretative prose, the arrival of the APC candidate from Abuja, following the primary that returned him to contest for the governorship.

Posted on his Facebook page @JohnMayaki.com on March 30, Mayaki quoted “Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo” as expressing his profound gratitude to Edo people for the overwhelming reception accorded him upon his return to Esanland yesterday (March 29) to commence a thank-you tour, saying, “Edo people cannot go outside its shores to borrow a governor,” and that, “somebody who cannot speak his language cannot be an Esan man. A true Esan man is here.”

(That’s a dig at the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Asue Ighodalo, accused by political opponents as not a “homeboy” or Esan or Edo enough because he’s reportedly born, bred, schooled and worked outside Edo State, and can’t communicate in Esan language, as if these are qualifying criteria for Governor. A few of us – I don’t know if Mayaki’s among – wrote several times to condemn the stereotyping of Ighodalo.)

Excerpted below is the Mayaki report on the Okpebholo arrival from Abuja: “In a stirring address to a gathering of supporters and well-wishers, the APC candidate articulated his vision for unity and progress in Edo State.

“May God bless us all… Amen,” Senator Okpebholo began, invoking blessings upon the entire community gathered before him. With a fervent ‘Amen’ echoing through the crowd, the atmosphere was charged with hope and anticipation.

“Okpebholo extended his blessings to the three senatorial districts within Edo State. ‘May God bless you all… Amen,’ he declared, emphasising his desire for divine favour and prosperity to be bestowed upon every corner of the state.

“Speaking directly to the people of Esanland, the Senator invoked the traditional saying, ‘Esan di fure’ (It shall be well with Esanland), expressing his commitment to the welfare and prosperity of the region.

“Turning his attention to Benin, the historic heart of Edo State, the candidate proclaimed, ‘Edo di fure’ (It shall be well with Benin), reaffirming his dedication to the city and its people. The crowd responded with enthusiastic approval, signaling their endorsement of his message.

“Addressing the Afemai region, Senator Okpebholo declared, ‘Afemai di fure’ (It shall be well with Afemai), underscoring his inclusive approach to governance and his commitment to serving all constituents, regardless of geographical boundaries.

“‘We will work in Esanland, we will work in Afemai, and we will work in Benin,’ the candidate proclaimed boldly. And the crowd erupted into applause, affirming their endorsement.

“In a moment of unity and clarity, Senator Okpebholo posed a rhetorical question to the crowd: ‘Are these not what you people want and looking for?’ The resounding response of ‘Yes’ echoed throughout the crowd, affirming their collective desire for positive change and effective leadership.

“Concluding his address, the APC candidate asserted, ‘Edo State cannot be held to a standstill again…’ and there was a resounding ‘yes,’!

“Earlier, his (Okpebholo’s) convoy made its way from Abuja to Ikabigbo in Etsako West local government area, where he was hosted by the acting Chairman of the party, Emperor Jaret Tenebe. He later proceeded to Esanland, where a jubilant crowd welcomed him at Irrua and accompanied him all the way to his private residence.

“His kinsmen lined the roads from Irrua, enthusiastically waving and expressing their joy. The motorcade from Edo North did not disembark; they joined in the welcome frenzy. This marks the Senator’s first visit to his hometown after his declaration as the APC candidate.”

Of course, some would argue that Mayaki’s doing his professional job as a reporter. But would he’ve done a similar beautiful story if it were, for instance, Dr Ighodalo of the PDP or Mr Olumide Akpata of Labour Party (LP), that’d arrived from Abuja and rode in a convoy into a welcoming reception in his hometown since clinching the PDP or LP ticket, as Mayaki, perhaps, still believed in the supremacy of the APC then?

This was barely three months and one week ago, but today, Mayaki, and several chieftains of the APC in Edo State, have “discovered” that Sen. Okpebholo isn’t qualified in terms of character, capacity, competence, congnition, carriage, charisma, eloquence, exposure, political maturity, popularity and vision to be the APC candidate for the September poll!

Let’s look at the reason(s) for Mayaki’s avowal to work against Okpebholo’s election. Mayaki had lined behind Sen. Adams Oshiomhole’s preferred aspirant, Hon. Dennis Idahosa (APC, Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo South), who Okpebholo defeated twice at the controversial primary, which’s upheld by the APC leadership as reflecting the mandate of the party’s voters.

While Oshiomhole successfully negotiated the Deputy Governor’s position for Idahosa, Okpebholo, who named Mayaki as Director (New Media) for the Campaign Council, reportedly met with resistance from APC members, who argued that the Media and Publicity arm of the council should go to another person, as it wasn’t Mayaki’s “birthright” to occupy it again.

Recall that Mayaki’s Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Governor Oshiomhole, and Acting Chief Press Secretary (CPS), for a few months, to Governor Godwin Obaseki, before he’s sacked (Mayaki claimed he resigned) under controversial circumstances.

In rejecting the Okpebholo offer on Sunday, June 9, Mayaki’s ambivalent: That he turned down the job due to the potential impact on his working relationship with a colleague initially penciled for the role, saying he prioritised maintaining a harmonious work environment. Then, he shifted the gear to his “still recuperating from an accident,” and needed time to come back to full steam for the rigours of electioneering.

Finally on Friday, June 14, Mayaki quit the obvious rigmarole, and declared that Okpebholo wasn’t a “sellable material for Governor in the 21st century Edo State,” and that he’d campaign and vote for a candidate on another political platform.

Noting that competence must trump party supremacy, Mayaki said he’s showcasing a candidate who’s an embodiment of “capacity, competence, connections, experience and sincerity to provide the leadership required to tackle the enormous challenges in governance and take the state out of the woods.”

In a prepared message titled, “2024 Governorship Election: Party Supremacy, Competence, and the Future of Edo State” — delivered at the 5th Edition of the ‘John Mayaki Roundtable with Friends in the Media’ at the NUJ Press Centre in Benin City, Mayaki alleged that a factionalised and fragmented APC might not throw up a competent flagbearer (after almost four months of the primary).

Mayaki’s words: “My candidate is the man we can all trust. The man, who have networks and connections, both home and abroad. The man with ‘moral,’ or ethical reputation, not a novice. This man is not of the APC stock because irrespective of party supremacy, the future of Edo state is more supreme in my heart. My first commitment is to the state while the party is secondary.

“From the communicative to the managerial and cognitive. Does the leader know what to do as a leader at every point in time? Is he always available? Does he have vision and good understanding of what to do? If he does, does he have the required skills and political will to do same? I have accessed (sic) all the candidates and have come to the conclusion that the candidate I will campaign for has all these qualities in abundance.

“The strength of a leader’s vision, the methods he employs in driving the vision, his communication and ensuing goodwill and popularity, all add up. I mean the candidate who has a clear vision and thorough understanding of the mandate he’s seeking for.

“One who has remained focused and committed to taking development to all corners of Edo State and alleviate the sufferings of the people in our various communities. The one who has equally applied the right leadership style and judiciously applied his limited stock in governance.

“For me therefore, I have made up my mind to commit myself to encouraging my numerous supporters across the state, especially in my local government area, ward, and unit, that they vote for the candidate who will best develop the state, regardless of political affiliation. I mean a man who has the carriage, clout and charisma befitting of a governor.”

Politics aside, Okpebholo – and not the “choice” Mayaki’s yet to unveil or any other – is the only candidate in the running for the Edo governorship in 2024, who’s the “moral, ethical reputation, and knowledge of governance system” that the community people of particularly Esanland, and Edo State in general, could identify and associate with for standing by and for them over the years.

The highfalutin qualities Mayaki bandies about his “candidate” are relative, which most politicians or technocrats parade outside of governance, but given the opportunity to wave the same acclaimed magic wand in government, they fall flat, and perform abysmally. Do we need to travel outside Edo State for example of such a dismal performance from a “wonder technocrat” imposed on the people for years now?

To round off this article, it’s beyond belief that Mayaki could label, as a “novice in governance system,” Okpebholo, who’s a Senator, and had years of tutelage under the late “political oracle and kingmaker,” Chief Anthony Anenih, aliased “Mr Fix It” in political circles by friends and foes alike!

While pulling himself up by the bootstraps, Okpebholo combined schooling and business, and made success of both, before going full-time into politics, where he became a “giant killer” – as noted by President Bola Tinubu when he handed the APC flag to Okpebholo and his running mate, Idahosa, on March 18 – who assisted in uprooting an entrenched PDP, and planted, for the first time, the APC in Edo Central since 1999.

Mayaki’s inalienable right to choose a candidate and campaign for them. But on the premise of “suitability” of Okpebholo to be Governor of Edo State, he appears to lack indepth knowledge of current peculiarity of Edo politics – and what propelled Okpebholo to clinch the 2024 governorship ticket.

On his “late discovery” of the quality and governance flaws in Okpebholo, Mayaki’s only acting out the character traits of the typical Nigerian politician, whose first – and only priority – is self-interest, and not the affected promises of fighting for or representation of their people, talkless of the interest of Edo State.

On this score, Mayaki should leave Okpebholo to Edo people, who can tolerate his alleged “lack of capacity, competence, connections, experience and sincerity to provide the leadership required to tackle the enormous challenges in governance and take the state out of the woods,” and concentrate on marketing his “sellable candidate” to the voters for the September 21 election.

Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

The post Edo 2024: The Inegbeniki, Mayaki ‘suitability’ question of Okpebholo’s candidacy (2) appeared first on Sunrise News.

The crisis in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has re-litigated the decades-old internecine battles between political godfathers and godsons across the country, and the need to provide for independent candidacy in the constitution.

  The introduction of independent candidacy will guarantee that aspirants are not beholden to godfathers’ influences for nomination and/or election, but rely on their ability to persuade the electorate.

  It will also minimise the fights in the polity prior to and after each election. Rather than engaging in a do-or-die struggle with dictatorial godfathers, godsons will simply move on and enrol themselves as independents.

  The 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not permit independent candidacy. Sections 65(2)(b), 106(d); 131(c) and 177(c) stipulate that a candidate for any election shall be “a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party.”

  And section 221 states that, “No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election… or contribute to the election expenses of any candidate at an election.”

  The 8th National Assembly (2015-2019), the National Political Conferences in 2005 and 2014, and Reports on Constitutional Reforms in 2007 and 2016, recommended the adoption of independent candidacy in Nigeria’s political system.

  The New Telegraph of May 18, 2020, reported of the existence of independent candidacy in 1961 that enabled Samuel Goomsu Ikoku to stand as an independent, defeating his father, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, for a seat into the Southeastern House of Assembly.

  However, the House of Representatives is revisiting independent candidacy. In mid May 2020, it passed, for second reading, a Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution, to allow for independent candidacy for any elective office in Nigeria. The Bill has been referred to the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Review of the Constitution.

  With independent candidacy in place, a Godwin Obaseki doesn’t need to go through any huddles erected by his acclaimed godfather, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to thwart his second term ambition.

  Once he senses roadblocks on his path to nomination, he activates a “Plan B”: Packs his “bag and baggage” and decamps to another political party or leaves the umbrella of any platform and becomes an independent candidate.

  Were such a provision in the 1999 Constitution, the struggles between Governor Obaseki and former Governor Oshiomhole wouldn’t have exacerbated in the past months.

  Specifically, Obaseki wouldn’t hound Oshiomhole, using the report of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Specialist Hospital in Benin City, to indict him; try to sack him as National Chairman of the APC; and seek court order to bar the use of direct primaries to pick the APC candidate for the September 19, 2020 governorship poll.

  In view of a primary challenge mounted by several aspirants, seven governors on the APC platform shuttled between Lagos and Abuja in the past week, seeking support for Obaseki to secure the ticket for a second term in office.

  In Lagos, the governors, led by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, met with the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the State House, Marina, the Lagos seat of government.

  The governors reportedly solicited Tinubu’s assistance to procure a “right of first refusal” for Obaseki, or indirect primaries be used for the party ticket. Details of the meeting were not publicised.

  But those in the loop stated that Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, told the visitors, including Obaseki, that the ticket was open to all aspirants in direct primaries, as ordered by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.

  Also in Abuja, the governors, without Obaseki, had audience with members of the NWC, headed by Oshiomhole, and laid similar requests for Obaseki to get the party ticket unchallenged, or the aspirants be subjected to indirect primaries.

  Oshiomhole told reporters, after the meeting, that there’s no room for a sole candidate or indirect primaries, insisting that all aspirants would go through direct primaries, as announced by the NWC.

  Perhaps, anticipating a failure in the governors’ mission, the Obaseki camp has planned to arrest and prosecute Oshiomhole, to answer for his indictment over the hospital contract.

  But to forestall his arrest, Oshiomhole filed an ex parte application at the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained Obaseki and other respondents from arresting him until the issue of the court’s jurisdiction, raised by the respondents, was determined. Further hearing of the matter is fixed for June 17, 2020.

  What should Obaseki do in the situation he’s found himself? If he moves to another party, chances are that he would meet the same problem of godfatherism in the determination of his nomination.

  Indeed, if the claim is true, Obaseki’s “Plan B” to decamp to the PDP has hit the rock. The party power-brokers reportedly gave him two conditions: No automatic ticket for him; and he should drop his deputy, Phillip Shuaibu, as his running mate.

  If Obaseki has accepted the conditions, there’re no guarantees that the PDP apparatchiks, never a satisfied lot, would not subject him to other hurdles that may engender a clash between both sides. This may prompt his movement to another party.

  But sadly in our clime, if he’s not sponsored by another godfather, he may become a godfather to other aspirants on his campaign. Still, this is better than kowtowing to a major godfather and party elders, as alleged in the crisis in the Edo chapter of the APC.

  Why will the constitution tie a politician’s ambition to the whims and caprices of a political party, thus negating a pillar of democracy that ensures freedom of choice and association?

  Limiting this freedom has given rise to few individuals to hijack the instruments of political parties to determine the aspirations of members to elective offices, and control the parties’ purses.

  Because they mostly finance and/or influence the choice of candidates at elections, they have strong hold on the governments formed by their protégées, dictating their make-up and running.

  And any attempts by their acolytes to exert independence would prompt resistance from the godfathers, like the scenario painted by the Obaseki camp in the Edo APC crisis.

  While the Oshiomhole faction maintains the feud with Obaseki stems from the governor’s neglect of the party people that worked for his election in 2016, the Obaseki camp counters it results from his refusal to “share public money” for the party elders.

  Apart from strengthening and deepening Nigeria’s democracy, independent candidacy can curb imposition and interference of political godfathers, such as reported in Edo APC, especially during nomination of candidates for elective positions in government.

* Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

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The court however directed that all motions relating to the matter should be presented altogether on December 10, after which a ruling would be given.

In the suit number FHC/B/CS/133/2019, the Plaintiffs/ Applicants; Anselm Ojezua and two others, through their Counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), prayed the court to issue an order restraining the Defendants; Col David Imuse (rtd), Lawrence Okah from parading themselves as state chairman and secretary of the party respectively.

They argued that Ojezua remained the chairman of the party, while Okah has been suspended as state secretary of the party.

“That the status quo as at 10/11/2019 with regard to chairmanship of the APC should be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the case and for such further or other orders as this honourable court may deem it fit to make in the circumstances of this case,” they averred.

But, in a motion of preliminary objection filed through their lawyers Douglas Ogbankwa (esq), Famous Osawaru and K.M. Jimoh (Miss), of West Idahosa Chambers, Imuse, Okah and others posited that the court did not have jurisdiction on the suspension of Ojezua which they argued is a “domestic affair of the APC,” and that “the suit as constituted, was inchoate and the court lacked jurisdiction to hear same.

“The subject matter of this dispute purely revolves round the suspension/removal of the 1st plaintiff as chairman of APC Edo State,” they asserted.

In her ruling, Justice A. A. Deemi-Ajayi who refused to grant the order, fixed December 10 to hear all motions and necessary documents on the matter and thereafter rule on them.

It would be recalled that 11 of the 16-member State Working Committee had signed a removal notice on Ojezua as state chairman of the party, although two of the signatories later said they were forced to sign at gun point.

Also, the leadership of the party had also purportedly removed Lawrence Okah, as Edo state secretary of the APC.

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