By John Mayaki
Governor Godwin Obaseki, the man who has drowned Edo State in foreign and local debts, has declared that the people should shelf thoughts of electing their local leaders anytime soon.
Local councils shall continue to be manned by means only dictated by the Governor until their financial state improves to a level considered satisfactory by the supreme leader. In other words, the foxes will continue to watch over the barn until the case of missing hens is fully investigated and accounted for.
This was the highlight of the Governor’s party caucus meeting in Owan East on Monday. He was there as part of his victory parade to all the local chapters of the PDP in Edo state to show his deposed detractors who is boss, and to clear the doubts of anyone still second-guessing his conquest of the riven party.
Let us aside for a minute the very serious fact that local council elections are a matter of constitutional necessity and not held at the convenience of any individual no matter his position. Or the fact that Mr. Obaseki’s sauntering across the state merely to flex political muscles in the party he joined and swiftly divided, has come at the expense of serious governance at the time residents of the state are slipping into poverty at an alarming rate. It is difficult to see the sense behind the governor’s position, even with the most charitable interpretation.
The conduct of local council elections, which affords citizens at the grassroots an opportunity to participate in the formation of the government tier closest to them, is perhaps the finest expression of democracy. It deepens the understanding of representation and the power of the ballot, and promotes franchise. It also preserves the legitimacy of leadership positions meant to have the best understanding of local challenges and dynamics that may prove elusive or complex for elitist, walled-off Governors like Obaseki who are detached from the people and only remember the route to far-flung hamlets and villages during campaigns.
How, then, does it make sense to halt this process, which has the protection of the constitution, on the account of poor management/outcomes? It becomes even more perplexing when you consider the fact that the same offices are filled with appointed officials that are both unknown and unaccountable to the people, leading to worse corruption and neglect.
An official who derives his legitimacy and stay in power from a single man will only work to please such a man. He fears no election because none will be held; the anger or displeasure of local residents means nothing to him. As long as the Lord and Master in Osadebey Avenue is happy.
This totalitarian control, in which he issues orders that cannot be questioned from Benin, including the reported instruction to part with revenue allocation, is what Governor Obaseki intends to keep intact and why he has refused to let the people have a say in who leads them at the local level.
He has already broken the legislative arm. It remains a partial Assembly of members hand-picked by the Governor who deliberate issues in a small corner in the Executive abode. An independent and co-equal branch browbeaten and reduced to a gathering of lackeys. With the caretaker arrangement look set to continue at the local level, his dominion appears complete. The people are held hostage by a man who will not do right by them and denies them a chance to meaningfully show their disapproval.
He hides this sentiment behind concerns for finances. But if debts prevent elections or are grounds for disqualification, he would not have stood for the 2020 election. Just before the September election that returned Obaseki to office, DMO records showed that Edo State’s external debt had risen by nearly 100 million dollars. Domestic debt also spiked by almost 100%, with about 50 billion borrowed. He has since borrowed more, according to reports. All with nothing to show for them – and no clear repayment strategy.
It is therefore worth asking which legs the governor is standing on to bar LG elections, in violation of the constitution and mockery of the push from activists to achieve LG autonomy, over debts management.
The hypocrisy of Governor Obaseki is by now apparent, as his calculated move to build a totalitarian regime in the state. His encroachment and violation of rights and laws will continue as long as the people and civil society groups maintain their silence with every outrageous step he takes.