Abuja Network News
7 August, 2023
In a surprising twist, a man who was once hailed as a key figure in the Edo state government has now experienced a significant downfall and may soon face impeachment. This man, Shaibu, was not just an insignificant player in the government, but rather someone who admitted to having a dark side, much like Lucifer, in court. Now, thanks to Governor Obaseki, he finds himself on the outskirts of power.
Shaibu was once seen as Obaseki's trusted enforcer, commanding respect and loyalty from those around him. With strong ties to the labor movement, he became a close ally of former governor Adams Oshiomhole, who supported his bid for deputy governor. It appeared to be a harmonious alliance until both Shaibu and Obaseki turned against their benefactor, desiring him to step aside so they could enjoy the benefits of power. What was once a shared goal has now become a curse.
Shaibu turned against Adams, assuming that Obaseki would always be by his side. However, politics is a treacherous terrain, and Shaibu now finds himself boiling with regret for his actions against Adams. When they were campaigning for a second term together, Shaibu felt invincible. Chaos filled the streets, and fear was palpable.
They had devised a strategy to make Asiwaju Tinubu the scapegoat and champion Edo's independence. With this plan, people would overlook Shaibu's failures in education and ignore the deplorable state of the roads. Questions about financial transparency and accountability would fade into the background.
Asiwaju Tinubu had suggested Osagie Ize-Iyamu as a better candidate. In response, Obaseki and his supporters crafted a chant: "Edo no be Lagos." It was both beautiful and cynical, serving as a war cry. Their electoral machine was working flawlessly. Suddenly, Obaseki became an unlikely symbol of Edo nationalism. Despite his ancestors having betrayed the magnificent Benin Empire, he now positioned himself as a patron saint of ethnic pride.
The focus shifted from the future of Edo to a blind rage against a perceived enemy trying to take over the state. The truth was that Asiwaju had supported Adams for eight years, during which Edo witnessed progress and even learned from Lagos, something Obaseki currently enjoys. Edo was once considered like Lagos, but sentiment overshadowed virtue. No one bothered to address the fact that Ize-Iyamu was an Edo man, not a Lagos politician who had been a friend and defender of the state.
Yet, without a track record of achievements, Obaseki managed to deceive everyone and became a hero. Shaibu played a part in amplifying this narrative, but he was merely a shadow of Adams. He imitated him both in speech and mannerisms, donning labor attire during his clashes with Adams and Ize-Iyamu. Like a proud peacock, he strutted around.
Shaibu was at the center of many acts of chaos and violence during the campaign. He even received a reprimand from the Oba himself, but it didn't faze or restrain him. His boss, who belonged to the Obaseki clan, showed no respect for tradition.
He was the chief enforcer of Obaseki's second-term bid, directing his hostility towards Adams. Adams had used and discarded him like yesterday's news. Shaibu believed he would rise to greater heights, aspiring to succeed Obaseki. He had proven his loyalty and expected to be rewarded, just as Jesus promised his apostles a kingdom. However, Obaseki, who often resembled a wrestler rather than a boardroom executive, was not as generous as Christ. When Shaibu expressed his desire to become governor one day, Obaseki saw it as overwhelming ambition, a romanticized longing. As punishment, he cast Shaibu out, depriving him of official status and leaving him to wallow in misery.
The man who once exuded power and confidence while walking among the elite has now been stripped of his position. Ambition, loyalty, and betrayal have taken their toll on Shaibu, relegating him to the fringes of government and exposing him to the possibility of impeachment.
Shaibu's future in politics is uncertain, and only time will reveal if he can find his way back into the inner circle of governance or if he will fade into obscurity. For now, all eyes are on Shaibu, the fallen chief enforcer who held immense power but is now grappling with his diminished political influence.