By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State will mark the second civilian-to-civilian transition of power on November 12 .
The first occurred when former the two-term governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion handed over to Prof Monday Osariemen Osunbor, whose tenure was later terminated by the decision of the Court.
This effectively ended May 29 as the anticipated date of handover in Edo State as envisaged by the framers of the constitution.
Governor Godwin Obaseki haven’t completed the mandatory two term tenure is scheduled to transfer power on November 12, following INEC’s declaration of Sen Monday Okpevbolo as the winner of the September 21 Edo governorship election
Recently, however, Sen Adams Oshiomole, regarded as the face of the incoming APC administration called for the probe of the Obaseki administration.
Sen Oshiomole served two terms and later handed over power to his political godson, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in 2016.
He currently represents the Edo North district in the Senate.
The Oshiomole bombshell has elicited mixed reactions across the political landscape.
Pundits believe that Sen. Oshiomole simply wants to teach his former mentee some political lessons about life, hence the call for the probe of Obaseki.
Sen. Oshiomole’s suggestion does not seem to be in sync with logic or rationality but is borne out of vendetta and to punish the outgoing governor for perceived political trespasses.
There is, however, a noticeable flaw in Sen. Oshiomole’s suggestion. How does one single out Philip Shaibu from the financial malfeasance that may have taken place during the period he was in the inner circle of the government?
It must be remembered that Hon Shaibu which entails was also a “culprit” so any probe should be wholesome and thorough and not exclude anyone
Political watchers are bemused as to how any probe of the Obaseki administration can take place without the indictment of his former deputy, Hon. Philip Shaibu, even though the Etsako born former deputy governor has retraced his steps back to the political camp of Sen. Oshiomole.
Unlike his predecessors, Gov. Obaseki gave his deputy a free hand in the cabinet.
Hon. Shaibu enjoyed unfettered power and access. He also stood in for the governor on several instances as well as being saddled with sensitive state responsibilities such as the local government, internal revenue generation, sports, and others.
No deputy governor wielded as much power as the former deputy governor. Even former governors such as Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Comrade Adams Oshiomole did not grant their deputies as much latitude as Obaseki.
In full public glare, Shaibu as deputy governor lived in affluence, rode big jeeps, owned a chain of businesses, landed properties that’s runs into billions of naira across the state and also wielded a lot of influence in the appointment of LGA chairmen as well as played a significant role in the midnight swearing in of the Assembly members.
Of course, it became obvious that the former deputy governor who is now playing the victim’s card and steadily began to abuse the privileges of office extended to him courtesy of Gov. Obaseki’s trust and confidence.
Invariably, any probe of the Obaseki administration would unveil a lot of the sordid mess involving his deputy in state affairs.
The call, therefore, for the probe of the Obaseki administration should be extensive and should also be in the overall interest of Edo State.
Any probe must also reveal to Edo citizens how the deputy governor managed to amass the stupendous wealth.
