The cold war between the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Gabriel Igbinedion, and Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, resurfaces, as both test strength in the general elections, Special Correspondent, TITUS OISE, writes.
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Gabriel Igbinedion, are, undoubtedly, prominent sons of the state. However, the relationship between them has been frosty for close to six years now. To worsen matters, there has regularly been one form of confrontation or another between them. The reasons, incidentally, are not far-fetched.
It was believed that the Igbinedions, especially the former governor, Lucky, the son of Esama, played key role in the emergence of Oshiomhole as governor. Trouble, however, started between the two camps during the re-election campaign of the governor in 2012, when the senior Igbinedion came out publicly to campaign for the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, at the expense of Oshiomhole, who at the time needed every support to return as governor.
Oshiomhole, however, won convincingly in all the councils in the state, including Ovia, the domain of Igbinedion. The governor, somehow, did not forget the role of the Esama in the attempt by PDP to stop him. The cold war between the two, thus, became more pronounced.
Supporters of the governor also allege that the path of the warring duo crossed again in 2013 as a result of the state government’s determination to move against the culture of tax evasion as well as its insistence on strict enforcement of the Land use Act.
It was alleged that Igbinedion saw the enforcement of the Act as a ploy to get at him and his family. The state government, it was said, had confrontation with the Benin high chief, who has vast business interest across the state, especially landed property, reportedly dotting virtually everywhere the state capital.
The final battle line, consequently, got drawn, with the bruised Esama deploying all the arsenal at his disposal, including his radio and television station against the Oshiomhole government.
The feud thus raged.
In 2014, during the local government election in the state, Igbinedion, once again, dared the governor, virtually throwing in everything to secure victory for the PDP, especially in Ovia
North-East, Okada – his stronghold.
Oshiomhole had to come hard on the former governor’s father by warning him to desist from undermining the laws of the state, as “government has the capacity and the will to contain his (Igbinedion) excesses”.
However, on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, there was an unusual meeting in the Government House in Benin-City when Igbinedion visited the governor to intimate him of his 80th birthday. The meeting lasted about 40 minutes.
When reporters asked Esama of his mission in Government House, he retorted: “He is the governor of Edo State and I have come to see my governor.” With the surprise visit, the people of the state had thought the acrimony between the duo was over, or so it seemed, until recent development.
Things came to a head recently when it was reported that one of the security aides in the convoy of the governor molested Rev. Fr. Peter Udoh at Ujogba in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state. Independent Television (ITV), the television station owned by the Esama, reported the news item, which was later said to be a hoax.
The news item was aired repeatedly by the television station that the state government had to come out in the open to condemn the report, describing it as mere fabrication.
The report was corroborated by Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Gabriel Dunia, who said: “I am not aware of any priest beaten by the governor’s aide. There is no report like that.”
Irked by the report against his government, Oshiomhole on Tuesday, January 13, 2014 moved against Igbinedion when the government terminated an agreement to train medical students of Igbinedion University, Okada, at the state-owned specialist hospital over alleged N350 million debt.
It was gathered that an understanding was entered into in 2006 during the Lucky Igbinedion’s administration to enable Igbinedion University enjoy the use of the state-owned Central Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital for the practical of the medical students. It was part of the condition demanded by the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to grant the Igbinedion University accreditation to train medical students in the clinical specialties. The action, our reporter gathered, affected activities of the medical school of Igbinedion University.
As if that was not enough, the governor almost equally directed that the accreditation of ITV correspondent and cameraman be withdrawn for the station’s alleged reportage of news and events suspected to be deliberately aimed at misinforming the people on the government’s programmes and activities.
With these actions in quick succession, it was concluded that the governor was out to cage the Benin high chief once and for all. But it was reliably gathered that the intervention of former Governor Igbinedion saved the situation. The former governor was said to have pleaded with Oshiomhole for restraint, while pleading for amicable solution.
The governor was said to have insisted on retraction and apology, which was promptly done by ITV management. In it, the television station said: “We hereby tender our unreserved apology for the embarrassment the broadcast must have caused the governor and government of Edo State. We want to reassure the government and the people of our commitment to the peace and stability of our dear state.”
Shortly after the apology, Oshiomhole ordered the recall of the ITV crew attached to the Government House. Despite the exercise, the relations between Igbinedion and Oshiomhole could be said to be fragile, given that they would soon be at opposite ends during the forthcoming general elections.
Interestingly, Omosede, Igbinedion’s daughter, is candidate of the PDP for Ovia Federal Constituency, while Charity Aimenyanwu is the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC). Analysts thus, predict bitter confrontation between Igbinedion and Oshiomhole as both battle for the soul of Ovia.
