By Uwa Eghomeka
I have
read, first with discomfort, and then with something akin to horror, the words
that have been attributed to my dear governor, Adams Oshiomhole. I call him “my
dear governor” for two reasons; first, I am indigene of the nation’s big heart;
and second, one of the ballot papers of the Edo
state 2012 gubernatorial election bears my thumbprint. However, I am beginning
to think that this may very well be the last time he will be labelled with such
an endearment, at least by me.
*Gov Oshiomole
As Labour leader, he was everyman’s hero; the voice of the
people, the light in darkness. His booming voice and pointed remarks directed
at those who were deemed oppressors were lauded because we believed that at the
heart of all the drama was a man who believed in one thing-the people. As
governor, we expected the transference of that passion into the governance of
the state; we expected that he would demonstrate leadership, honesty, and
respect for the people of his state; and with respectability too. We expected
also that as our number one man, he would do so with some finesse and at the
very least, a modicum of regard for the office and a huge dose of common sense.
Sadly, we expected too much as Oshiomhole is now carried away with being more
of a needless voice than functioning in the service of the people.
The once noble and passionate Osho has become a clanging
cymbal. “Empty vessels make the loudest noise” can be no more personified as it
is currently being exhibited by Adams Oshiomhole. A leader of men need not
speak every single time it pleases his fancy to open his mouth and voice his
opinions. A leader of men should always exhibit a great measure of restraint.
There is something enigmatic about a man who knows when to hold his tongue.
People are often found hanging on his every word with bated breath because his
words are few. You talk too much, and more often than not, you end up a
laughing stock. I mean, who takes the village jester seriously? My “dear
governor” has become the Prince of Jesters.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and Gov Oshiomole
When I think of Oshiomhole’s last stunt and how he has once
again started his mad dance of circling around issues without evidence and
flinging accusations at Dr Okonjo-Iweala left, right and centre, what really
hits me is the difference in the style of both individuals. One of the first
questions that crossed my mind was if Dr Okonjo-Iweala attended any finishing
school. Her poise, her complete control over her speech is often in direct
contrast with Oshiomhole’s crass and crude mannerisms. If indeed she attended
any, does she think they will be willing to admit Adams Oshiomhole for a
semester or two?
Then again, after being exposed to his tactlessness, they
just may decide that his is a lost cause. Because added to the unrefined manner
of speech and behaviour, it appears mixing with the wrong crowd may have
worsened his case. The lack of tact is one thing, but when coupled with what
now appears to be a dubious character and a vindictive spirit, I’m afraid this
governor is on a downward spin. Who knows, some may like the challenge of
“Reforming the Unreformable” and decide that some training in cultural values
and norms refined social graces, etiquette knowledge, and polished appearance
may do him some good.
One thing is for certain; with soft skills being the
in-thing, this governor of my beloved state had better get his act together,
and fast! Or for how long does he plan to claim one thing only to have his
claims refuted publicly (remember his remark about a U.S government official
confiding in him about a certain former Nigerian government official stealing
billions)?
The way I see it, two paths lie ahead of Oshiomhole; the
path of dignity, honesty, backing up claims with concrete proof, integrity,
decorum and sincerity of purpose and mission; or he may take the path which is
the very opposite of all these and certainly leads to career suicide. In truth,
he need not attend any finishing school to decide what sort of man he wants to
be; that decision is one he must make without fear or favour.
Uwa Eghomeka is currently in the
business of imparting knowledge to the next generation. She does this in Benin
Uwa, thank you for lending a voice into Oshomole's madness. We have been following this man and wondering if something is wrong with him or the State. Outsiders keep wondering if he is okay. From his insulting a Benin market woman, to his insulting a teacher in his State for not reading a book well, to marrying a foreigner old enough to be his grand-daughter, to making a mess of himself in Bayelsa's polling and to his Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala's saga, the man is a mess.
ReplyDeleteI pity Edoh State. After her being raped by Lucky Igbinedion, I thought God would have had mercy on the State and give her a good Governor, but lo and behold, Edoh was punished with Oshomole. Either Edoh needs atonement or that she deserves the Governor she always gets. We just hope Edoh makes a choice after the embarrassment called Oshomole. Oshomole is a disgrace to APC and Nigeria, not just to Edoh State.