Opinion
How A Nigerian Governor Bowed To His Deputy (Picture)
By Emmanuel Aziken
Nigerians have been retelling the story that the uprising by Comrade Philip Shaibu against Governor Godwin Obaseki was an impossible fight but forget that just ten years ago, Engr David Umahi as deputy governor successfully overthrew Governor Martin Elechi from reckoning.
Indeed, given the bitter acrimony that shadowed their relationship in late 2014, many could have considered the well-circulated birthday message on April 1, 2024, from Senator David Umahi to his erstwhile boss, Mr Martins Elechi as an April Fool message.
Umahi, while hailing Elechi under whom he served as deputy governor, as a legendary leader, said:
“I am most delighted to identify with your excellency, my boss and mentor, and to offer my profound felicitations to you on this auspicious and special celebration to mark your 83rd birthday,” Umahi said as Elechi turned 83.
That is the same Umahi who retired Governor Elechi from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and truncated his 2015 succession plan. Indeed, the successful revolt by Umahi Elechi still resonates among many as about the most successful coup ever carried out by a deputy governor against an intransigent principal.
The intriguing story of Umahi and Elechi comes against the background of the impeachment and removal from office of Comrade Philip Shaibu as deputy governor of Edo State.
Following the development last Monday, many without the background of the Umahi-Elechi imbroglio had said that the fight of a deputy against a governor was regularly a one-sided contest always in the favour of the principal office holder.
Shaibu it was said, was about upturning the applecart.
He was well-positioned to do that. In his time, he was the most exposed and influential deputy governor in the country with the most juicy establishments of government under his control. He was reportedly in charge of revenue, sports, and local governments among others.
Regularly, when Governor Godwin Obaseki travelled out of the country he almost always handed over to Shaibu as acting governor.
Both friends and foes of the former deputy governor also regularly complained of his penchant for coming to functions where the governor was present behind schedule.
Shaibu, many mused, would come in when the function was already well underway with the governor seated. He would stroll in, receive accolades and take his seat beside the governor.
Well, that was until sometime in the middle of last year when Governor Obaseki stood up to him and even forbade him from approaching him in public functions. Now, he may not even be able to enter any state function, no matter how early he arrives.
For a governor with one of the most unflattering reputations in the media and among political actors, Shaibu certainly made Obaseki look good.
Indeed, when he was impeached last Monday few political leaders in Edo State cried for him.
That was because he had along the way bitten many fingers that fed him.
A report in GWG.ng, an online platform few days ago, quoted Pedro Obaseki as revealing a discussion between him and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the man who was generally regarded as Shaibu’s foster father and political mentor.
Pedro Obaseki quoted Oshiomhole as asking why Shiabu always bit the fingers that fed him. That was after Shaibu teamed up with Governor Godwin Obaseki to fight him, (Oshiomhole).
Your correspondent and indeed many had believed that Shaibu had some gravitas in his fight with Obaseki. But alas it turned out that just like several other deputy governors he was carried away like the wind.
Suggestions that he could be another Umahi simply evaporated as within hours, Governor Obaseki took the shrewd decision to appoint the Obidient Marvelous Godwins from Akoko Edo LGA as a replacement.
It was a masterstroke by Obaseki as it enriches his political base in the decisive fight in the main election with the Akoko-Edo/Owan flank of Edo North becoming a possible fertile ground for the PDP.
However, Umahi, who successfully fought off Elechi’s succession agenda was more deliberate and prepared.
Umahi had served as chairman of the state chapter of the PDP during which time he was able to forge relationships across the state. He also was able to forge alliances in Abuja.
Following his stint as party chairman, he emerged as deputy governor in 2011 to Elechi who was then serving his second term.
Rumour has it that Elechi gave him much leverage as deputy governor almost like what Obaseki gave to Shaibu. In that position, the more elderly Elechi allowed him much room to manoeuver. However, as the transition approached in 2014, Elechi favoured the then minister of health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu from the same Ebonyi South Senatorial District as Umahi as his successor. Why Elechi didn’t want Umahi as a successor has never been disclosed.
Shockingly, Elechi lost control of the party when the chairman of the PDP opted to vie for a House of Reps seat. The mainstream of the State Working Committee, who were in any case aligned to Umahi supported the decision for the former deputy chairman to take control as acting chairman.
Elechi knowing that the deputy chairman was Umahi’s man murmured. The case came to Abuja and the national leadership allegedly spurred by the then National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh backed the party’s decision on the deputy chairman running the affairs.
Metuh was grounded on Ebonyi politics, being the place where he was nurtured after his father returned from the UK to establish a law practice.
Umahi working in cahoots with Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Governor Sam Egwu among others backed the deputy chairman who conducted the three man delegate election that threw up Umahi as PDP governorship candidate.
The Presidential Villa at that time appeared to have a soft spot for Elechi, but with Metuh in Wadata, the directives to upturn the process were frustrated.
Eventually, Governor Elechi’s candidate and former Jonathan minister was forced to contest the election on the platform of Labour Party which he lost.
That is a part of the story of the successful rebellion by a deputy governor who retired his principal from mainstream politics. The other aspect of how Umahi served as chairman of PDP, elected on the platform of the PDP as deputy governor, elected twice as governor on the platform of PDP and turned his back on the same party is a story for another day.
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