“Godfatherism is dangerous to our democracy. If, God forbid, I ever try to become a godfather, I should be dealt with.”
These were the words by Governor Godwin Obaseki days after he was re-elected in September 2020.
However, after he was sworn in, he become not just a Godfather, but a self aclaimed leader in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In feat of anger, the forbidden Godfather proclaimed illegal suspension on some members of the PDP that was likened to the recaptured moments of Adolf Hitler in his Schizophrenic feats.
He fought tooth and nail with Chief Dan Orbih to the Supreme Court as the self imposed Godfather until his handpicked candidates were gifted the PDP tickets in all elective positions; from the Senate down to the State House of Assembly. Although some of his candidates performed woefully during the general election, he did allegedly rigged the elections for the State House of Assembly for the fear of impeachment if the opposition had won.
Recently, he has been at loggerheads with his deputy, Comrade Phillip Shaibu over his ambition to succeed him. How dear you aspire! The Godfather of Edo State politics has crippled his deputy for ever dreaming of becoming the next governor of Edo State. He has been tossed away from the government house and condemned to a monastry-like office where he and rodents will be communing. All efforts for Phillip to apologize to the self acclaimed Godfather has fallen on deaf ears…he cannot be appeased.
Today, it is alleged from feelers that Obaseki has annointed his business partner and friend, Barrister Asuen Ighodalo, to succeed him. He has paid deaf ears to any other consideration.
Who will deal with the Godfather, Obaseki? Will God forbid his attempt to impose a governor on the Edo State citizen who deeply loath, hate and detest Godfatherism?