Governor Oshiomhole

By Richard Akinnola

I have always been skeptical about the “Comradeship” credentials of Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole. Right from the time he was the No. 1 labour leader, his extravagant lifestyle was at variance with those of reverred labour leaders like Wahab Goodluck, Hassan Sumonu or Pa Imoudu.

Before he assumed office as Governor, l saw his magnificent edifice at the high brow Maitama in Abuja. And l was wondering, where did someone who never sold rice or cement but only clenched fist of aluta, able to acquire property not only in Maitama but in Kaduna, Benin and his country home, with just howling “solidarity for ever”? Something just wasn’t right. I need to be educated.

                                Richard Akinnola

But you must give him one thing – the man gets mouth o. He knows how to talk and accuse everyone of one malfeasance or the other but criticise him, he would bare his fangs, just like he just did to one of his aides, his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Curtis Ugbo who was docked few days ago for criticising his boss on his Facebook page.

While it may be improper for the guy to criticise his boss in the social media, the worst the Governor should have done was to fire him and not get him arrested and charged. Was it not this same man who has repeatedly taken Okonjo Iweala to the cleaners? In addition to being charged for criticising his boss, the SSA was also charged for being in possession of a double-barrelled gun without licence.

Oshiomhole has further confirmed what some of us knew, that he is just another bloody dictator. Forget all his banal platitudes of democracy. Here was a man whom Chima Ubani died his death ten years ago but he totally abandoned Chima’s family. It would be interesting to know the contents of the assets declaration form of Oshiomhole after he leaves office.

There have been series of earth-shaking corruption allegations against him, including his new Edo state University in his home town, gulping billions of Naira when he has not been able to fund the State’s university in Ekpoma. I think l read somewhere where he said the new Varsity is a public-private partnership. Let him avail the public the people behind the private investment.

I would also want our Comrade Governor to allow independent media access into the extension of his mega-palace in his hometown. This palace, on a large expanse of land, is reputed to have an artificial lake and beach. It is well fortified against prying eyes. Let him open up the place and l can assure you, some people would have heart attack. Let our Comrade Governor come out clean. There are too many allegations that cannot just be swept under the carpet.

*Akinola is a lawyer and a social activist