By John Mayaki
Democracy where it mattered most is facing rebellion. It’s almost cancelling the councils and grinding them to their knees. The government of the people, by the people and for people but as it stands now and as practiced in our clime, the government of the party in power, by the party and for the party faithful. From Kano to Rivers and to Edo State, it’s the same story; council elections where the ruling party miraculously wins all the seats – chairmen, councilors and possibly, class monitors – all of them loyal party members, handpicked and ready to play the charade.
In Edo state, it has taken a turn – rebellion reigns supreme. All the council chairmen from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with their councilors are at war and unable to live in harmony. They are up in arms and have decided to “cancel the councils”. “PDP vs. PDP: the council wars.”
How it started? We must quickly recall. The Edo state House of Assembly, led by a PDP Speaker, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku was the first to flex his muscles – he suspended the council chairmen. Their crime? I’m told they forgot to attend a loyal party meeting and so, the Leader of the legislative arms were told to take over.
But, the courts intervened and ruled that the suspended chairmen should resume office. A win for the rule of law, isn’t? But am not sure the councilors fancied the reconciliation and so, they decided to stage their own rebellion – impeachments are flying faster than campaign promises – councilors reportedly ousting their chairmen and installing their own leadership. It’s like the House of Assembly impeaching the governor or deputy alongside.
Someone said, “but they are all from the same party. Why can’t they work together?” And I simply replied, “have you not been to a meeting where everyone wants to be the chairman?”.
“This is a storm in a teacup and an internal party conflict that would be resolved amicably using the party dispute resolution mechanism. Don’t worry Mayaki”, I was assured by those concerned.
“But sir”, I pressed forward, “are you sure this is not a storm in your party’s branded umbrella?” But again, he assured me, “it’s nothing. We will call the councilors to order very soon. And they would all work together”. It’s good to know. Thank you leader.
While the chairmen claimed they are victims of political witch-hunts, the councilors say they are doing what they needed to do, in the best interest of the people and democracy. What about the people? What will they say now, seeing that the councils are being “canceled”, without actual governance?
This rebellion canceling the councils is a sad reminder of the state of local government elections when party loyalty outweighs public service and when competence and capacity doesn’t count.
Importantly, leadership matters here. It is either there’s the lack of leadership or that it’s leaders are holidaying abroad. Am told the former governor, Godwin Obaseki who’s supposed to organised his foot soldiers is now pursuing academic laurels abroad – a strategic move that is similar to a strategic retreat. Now, who willl put the PDP house in order?
Or can the state party chairman, weather this storm? He’s the one steering the ship, will he rise to the occasion and unite the warring members of his party they appointed into the councils? Or will he allow them to self-destruct?
But if our distinguished student abroad could take a break from his studies to send a strongly worded message like: “Dear councilors, stop this rebellion before you sell yourselves to the APC led administration and Governor Monday Okpebholo who is after me. Best regards, Your Ex-Governor and Scholar-in-Chief.”
Next time, let us learn to do the right thing. Thank you councilors and council chairmen. Please don’t burn the councils. In fact, try not to cancel the councils with your rebellion. Let peace reign.
