Tuesday Column By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO
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Political godfathers in Nigeria are finding it increasing difficult to keep their godsons in check. The godsons themselves are increasingly being uncomfortable with their godfathers constantly breathing down their necks. These godsons did not like how they were being treated but did not show their discontent visibly in the initial stages. Thus in the beginnings, the godfathers were metaphorically, feeding their godsons like babies notwithstanding silent murmurings from the latter. Then as they metamorphosed to teenagers/young adults as time went by so to speak, their godfathers took them by the hand to work literally, so they won’t step out of line. This is also notwithstanding occasional snapping/flipping of their hands from that of their godfathers which the latter still ignored. They swallowed their pride under the forced tutelage of the godfathers. Much later as they grew into adulthood and unwilling to be led by the nose any longer, they decided to frontally confront their godfathers by declaring that they are independent , ready to exercise their free will to take decisions as legally responsible adults, so to speak. This resulted in a fight during which some of the godfathers got shoved off, made to watch their erstwhile godsons from afar while silently plotting their fall. But one godfather, the Rivers State governor, has taken matters into his own hands, refused to be put down by his godson.
Fearing that his protégée may not only hand him a technical knockout but also give him an upper cut and so inflict on him a grievous injury that may damage his political career for a long time to come, he has dived headlong into the ring, notwithstanding that his godson, the chairman of his party, PDP has barely four months to complete his first tenure. So, Wike has decided to fight to finish. He is gathering everything in his armour to ensure that he wins this fight, apparently considering it as a do or die battle. Boxing experts say this is a ‘top of the match’ contest as the godson has vowed to also fight to finish. It is an epic fight for which ringside tickets have been sold out with millions other fans massing outside the match venue at Wadata plaza to hear the result. Experts say this is the most intriguing of all godfather/godson fights in the heavyweight class. Can Chairman Secondus withstand Governor Wike’s onslaught?
Recall a similar fight between Peter Obi and Willie Obiano in Anambra State. The then outgoing Governor Obi sought out his chummy friend, Obiano, a banker as himself from the same bank, to take over from him. They were said to be the best of friends and Obi apparently believed that he would follow in his footsteps as governor. So he campaigned vigorously for him and he won. But no sooner had the euphoria of Obiano/APGA victory died down as the new governor settled down at Government House Awka, than cracks began to appear in their relationship. Soon, both began to trade accusations and counter accusations. And as the ‘crisis’ deepened, Obi was eased out of APGA and forced to decamp to the rival PDP. Now the battle between both men is being fought by proxies as each camp fights for who would emerge victorious in the November governorship election between APGA’s Soludo (supported by Obiano) and PDP’s Ozigbo (supported by Obi). Each side is scheming to outdo the other. Ringside spectators and others are eagerly awaiting result of this epic proxy fight too. There are rumours that the umpire may disqualify candidates of both sides, in which case it would be a draw and an anti climax. Still, all eyes are on Anambra to see how it goes.
Interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola was visibly elated at the swearing-in of his successor, Gboyega Oyetola who was his Chief of Staff during his time as governor. Apparently he was relieved that his chosen successor made it after an exhaustive battle at the polls during which the rival PDP almost snatched victory. He also played a significant role when the battle shifted to the law courts, up to the Supreme Court. However, no sooner had Oyetola settled down than (as the other camp would say) ‘he began to show his true colour’. The first point of friction was on selection of commissioners. Then, the governor began to dismantle some of the minister’s policies in Osun. The last battle was over the just concluded APC Ward Congresses. Both parties are still arguing over it.
In Kwara State the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed joined forces to form the ‘O’to ge’ movement and rout out the Saraki political dynasty that had held sway in that state. It was a clean sweep as the APC won the governorship, Senate, most House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats, most tellingly denying Dr. Bukola Saraki a return to the Senate. Minister Mohammed sometime ago referred to the incumbent Kwara chief executive, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a ‘one chance governor’, an indication of the gulf between his camp and that of the governor. The gulf continues to widen and both camps are getting ready for a battle royale.
Amidst the fights and shenanigans between godfathers and their godsons, past and present, there are still two of them standing rather tall; they seem to be the last godfathers still standing. Although Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu still holds sway in Lagos state largely, some cracks are beginning to appear as can be seen in his discontent with Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola and the immediate past governor Ambode who was shoved aside after just one term in office. Even in the last APC Ward Congresses there were some dissenting voices among the party members. It is not yet a storm. However, Tinubu is widely expected to weather whatever storm there is notwithstanding that his grip is loosening imperceptibly.
All said and done, the real godfather in Nigerian politics is Chief James Onanefe Ibori. He still controls the political affairs of Delta. He directed it even when he was in prison in far away United Kingdom, confounding logic. His numerous godsons still pay unmitigated obeisance to him.
