Revealed: The Nativity Of Oshiomhole By Dr. Philip Ugbodaga
There are several cryptic, apocryphal, and tenebrous problems about the historical and archival variable, yet persistent beliefs about the significance of birth or nativity, in particular about the connections through both birth to particular biologically related persons – parents and offspring – and birth in a specific locality. These are beliefs about the creation and transmission of life. They are cognitive and appercipient references to the objects around which various kinds of kinship are formed. Some scholars have described this by the term ‘primordial’.
Why are such beliefs so ubiquitous and persistent? Why does society attribute significance to the biological phenomena of descent and kinship, and the locale of nativity? It is indisputable that this has remained sustained in society. Indeed, our very existence bears witness to the inexpugnableness of primordial ties, and the strength and pervasiveness of those ties in the world today.
The family is the most important association for the development of a child into a person. Family plays a huge role in a child’s development and socialization. Before birth, family members develop an attachment to the child because they are biologically related. Nevertheless, from historical and anthropological knowledge about humans, especially in collectivist societies, a child has never merely belonged to its immediate family alone. From birth, the child also belonged to a community; whether a lineage, a clan, a tribe, a village, a city, a state, or a nation. This community determines this child’s development, socialization, and path in life.
Let’s dive into the controversies surrounding the nativity and nascency of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshimhole, the acclaimed former labour leader, governor of Edo State, and then national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Oshiobaba, as he is popularly called, is an orator par excellence, an advocate for the people, an inspiration for the masses, a courageous, fearless, resilient, visionary leader and an achiever who has delivered for Edo state and Nigeria. His roots as an Etsako man and as an Edo citizen are only now being questioned by some people as he runs for the senate seat to represent the good people of Edo North Senatorial District at the green chambers in the 2023 election. Some people opine that Oshiomhole has been lost to the service of the larger nation. The fact is, his exemplary leadership is a testament of all his experiences.
Some express that what matters is not his birth to Etsako parents but his desires and actions since his birth. The circumstances of his early life in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria where his world outlook was shaped, his struggles against military dictatorships in Nigeria, his representation of the interests of Nigerian workers as a labour leader and unionist, his journey into politics and his consequential accomplishments, serving as a two-term Governor of Edo state, his leadership of the biggest political party in Africa, the All Progressive Congress (APC) as its national chairman defines him as a true Nigerian Leader. His public services are not confined to any level, as it is important and valued at all levels.
Martin Luther King Jr., the late American civil rights activist once stated that “an individual has not started living until he is able to rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity”. Oshiomhole understands that humanity needs to concern itself more with our collective interest than individual interest. Hence he has continued to live a life of service to Nigerians and remains involved and committed to the development and growth of Nigeria.
It was a huge surprise to many when he announced his decision to represent the people of Edo North Senatorial District at the Nigerian National Assembly. Many people had thought that he would throw his hat into the ring for the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Rather, this humble, courageous, focused, determined, dedicated, and caring leader decided to run for senate in this electoral cycle to represent the good people of Edo North Senatorial District. This is history repeating itself. In 2007, when Oshiomhole took the strategic decision to run for political office, my renowned late mentor, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, didn’t support his plan because he wanted him on the presidential ballot. The Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) later made a volte-face on the eve of the election when he eventually endorsed him for the office of Governor of Edo State.
Oshiomhole believes in national development and the growth of Nigeria and is willing to provide representation at any level that leads to progress. He was born into a diverse community and understood society as an amalgam of cultures and communities. From his early life, he has lived a life of service adding value to humanity and society through positive acts irrespective of the level of service he finds himself in. Oshiomhole considers his representing and advocating for his constituency an important role in national development. The people of Edo North Senatorial District having seen him in action believe that he will be a leading advocate for them and for all Nigerians while in the senate and his positive contributions there will trickle down to every region, including his Afenmailand.
Born seventy-one years ago, he has been an inspirational leader transcending his humble beginnings from the serene, arcadia town of Iyamho, Edo State to the hearts and homes of millions of Nigerians. Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has touched, impacted, and inspired with his leadership. His inspirational and phenomenal life is defined by a life goal of being the voice of the people hence his decision to once again offer himself in the service of his people as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As a diverse nation, Nigeria has had its fair share of ethnic crises, agitations for self-determination and secession, claims of marginalization, and ethnic, regional, and religious tensions. These issues continue to dominate state and national politics even as we grapple with ensuring we see the strength in our diversity and ensure equity, fairness, and justice for all citizens. The solution to these intractable problems lies in nation-building. It is essential to develop a new political culture capable of ensuring Nigerians benefit from the dividends of democracy and develop a healthy identity we can all be proud of. We need to have a sense of common nationality, because a nation needs unity, peace and progress to become a dynamic force. This is what Oshiomhole believes in and represents and will work to achieve in the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In his first term as Governor of Edo state, on assuming office, he communicated his preparedness to bring about the much-needed transformation of Edo State by seeking to restore the state master plan. In doing this, he addressed the privilege enjoyed by a select few by expanding opportunities to all. He delivered a dynamic social program designed to provide several channels and opportunities for all those who aspired to engage in genuine enterprise. With this, he created an atmosphere of equity, fairness, and justice in Edo. The people of Edo experienced equal worth and a sense of pride. For the first time in a long while, the people of Edo state understood and experienced the significant impact and difference electing the right leader can make.
Oshiomhole worked effectively to lay a solid foundation for the development of a new Edo State. One area he focused on was poverty. He often stated that the worst thing about poverty was its cyclical nature, in which the children of the poor frequently inherited their parent’s lack of opportunities in life and so were themselves trapped in the cycle of poverty. He expressed that if the cycle of poverty was not addressed it would continue to affect families and communities and could lead to the establishment of persistent transgenerational poverty placing individuals and groups in situations they would be easily influenced and exploited by bad actors to carry out acts of violence and cause political, religious, and ethnic crises. He sought to break this cycle of poverty, by instituting various youth empowerment schemes and creating a conducive environment for private enterprises to thrive while delivering on social amenities and infrastructure for the Edo people.
In the eight years that he served as the Governor of Edo state, the people saw a leader who worked tirelessly to bring succor, development, and growth to his people. The achievements recorded by the Comrade Governor did not come as a surprise to many considering his eight-year tenure as an outstanding labour leader heading the Nigeria Labour Congress. As the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, he demonstrated a thorough understanding of the collective yearning of Nigerian workers and how to get the work done. His tenure was characterized by purposeful leadership, insistence on good governance, and revitalizing the Nigerian workforce to a level never witnessed in recent history. Workers trusted they had a voice, a dedicated leader, and an advocate for a better life.
Oshiomhole has always believed that making progress is about making politics work for the masses as politics determines the choices we make, the kind of society we create, live in and ultimately pass on to the next generation. He regularly states that it is progressive politics that will significantly reduce poverty. Politics is fundamental in shaping development choices, strategies, trajectories, and outcomes. It thus involves change that must inevitably challenge established interests and prevailing structures of power. As the National Chairman of the ruling political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oshiomhole also realized that politics consists of two fundamental levels. The first concerns the rules of the game, that is the procedures and processes which underpin the structure of our political life, distribute power and authorize its use in particular ways. The second concerns the games within the rules, that is the normal contestations over policy, process, and power. Reforming these two fundamental levels of politics pitted him against several power-mongers and today he is vindicated having risen again as a powerful voice for national consensus, integration, and democratic consolidation.
Since the advent of our current 4th Republic, it is worth noting that, the fundamental rules of the game have yet to be well established. Consequently, Oshiomhole, as the Party Chairman was very dexterous in balancing the interests of an omnibus political elite to enable him to preserve the party’s machinery and process of political ascension to power in readiness for the 2023 transition from President Muhammadu Buhari to a worthy successor from the rank of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Oshiomhole haven performed outstandingly as Governor of Edo State, also surpassed the expectations of many as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he was instrumental to the re-election of President Buhari and the seamless emergence of progressive and collaborative leaderships in the twin chambers of the National Assembly.
He brought discipline and insightful leadership to the APC, as the party is no longer seen as merely a vehicle for the recruitment and selection of leadership personnel for government offices but as a party that is a central instrument of democratic governance in Nigeria, and contributor to development of programmes for national development. Today the APC is a sustainable, resilient, successful and the biggest party in Africa poised to grow in strength and continue playing a central role in Nigeria, Africa, and the world.
It is never easy to be a harbinger of change as even the people for whom change is intended to help may resist the change for many reasons. But also, those who benefit from the status quo, fight to keep the status quo and exploit the fears of others to support them to keep it. Despite the challenges, Oshiomhole has remained stoic, resilient and unflappable. Despite unfair, uninformed, and unjust criticisms from the opposition, he has continued to be a good sportsman. Showing unprecedented capacity for tolerance, understanding, forgiveness, and collaboration, he has continued a life of service he was called to. This is borne out of his fervent desire to work with people and collaborate to provide lasting solutions to the challenges we face as a society and work towards national development.
Adams Oshiomhole is not just a politician, he is also a son of Edo, a true Nigerian, a voice for the voiceless, an advocate for the masses, a fearless representative, a purposeful leader, and a true national leader. As the good people of Edo North Senatorial District prepare for the Presidential and National Assembly elections later this month, Oshiomhole stands the best chance of any senatorial candidate of any political party in Nigeria to be elected. We know he has always made a difference, and we can expect nothing less than a difference and positive impact.
Ugbodaga is Special Assistant to the Hon Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba
