As Adams Aliyu Eric Oshiomhole clocks 73 today, one truth remains constant: he is still firmly on the side of the Nigerian masses. His age has not dulled his voice nor weakened his resolve in speaking up when nobody else is willing to speak the truth. Instead, it has sharpened his insight, deepened his commitment, and expanded his reach as a relentless advocate for the voiceless and the marginalized.
Oshiomhole has never been one to be carried away by the trappings of power or overwhelmed by the privileges of high office. He sees his position as a platform to amplify the concerns of ordinary Nigerians, especially those who lack the means to express themselves. Since his rise to national prominence in the early 1990s as General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Oshiomhole has never wavered in his belief that leadership must serve the people first.
Over the years, he has reinvented himself to suit the ever-changing dynamics of Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, but never at the expense of his core values. He has consistently confounded his critics, overwhelmed his rivals, and impressed admirers across the political spectrum with his candor, grit, and fearlessness.
As a politician, Oshiomhole has mastered the art of power play, not for personal gain, but to ensure that the interests of the people are not compromised. His tenure as Governor of Edo State remains a reference point in responsible governance. Under his leadership, Edo witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development, improvements in healthcare and education, as well as a new era of cordial relationships with traditional institutions, religious bodies, labour unions, student organizations, and various ethnic groups. It was these novel perspectives to governance and eye marks of physical transformations that earned him the popular title “Father of Modern Edo State.”
As National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oshiomhole sought to redefine internal democracy within the party. He championed party supremacy and proposed a self financing model that would reduce the influence of elected officials in dictating party affairs. This bold attempt to curb the excesses of powerbrokers and eliminate the culture of imposition of candidates marked him out as a true reformer. However, it also pitched him against powerful interests within the APC. His principled stance ultimately led to his controversial removal, a decision that many now see as a strategic error with long-term consequences. Recently, former President Goodluck Jonathan at a public lecture, opined that the legal basis by which Oshiomhole was removed as Chairman of APC must be corrected because of the precedence it sets.
The fallout of his removal played a significant role in reshaping Edo State’s political landscape, paving the way for the perpetuation of Governor Godwin Obaseki, his estranged successor’s stay in office for a second term. What followed was a regime that many Edo people have described as tyrannical and constitutionally reckless. The political chaos that ensued, especially the sidelining of the Edo State House of Assembly, has had national reverberations. Some observers argue that this troubling precedent may have emboldened similar behaviour in other states, such as the recent political crisis in Rivers State that led to the declaration of emergency rule.
Determined to set the record straight and remain in touch with the people, Oshiomhole threw his hat into the ring for the 2023 Senate elections. He was overwhelmingly elected to represent Edo North in the Senate, a resounding vote of confidence from his constituents. Today, he serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior and has become one of the most vocal, respected, and admired voices in the Red Chamber.
Whether it is speaking on national security, economic hardship, or good governance, Senator Oshiomhole’s contributions on the Senate floor consistently attract attention. His speeches, bold, incisive, and passionately delivered, have become viral sensations across social media, with millions of Nigerians applauding his courage and sincerity. His intellectual acuity and dialectical ingenuity are simply unmatched in our current political milieu.
However, he has not limited himself to speeches alone. Back home in Edo North, the Senator is providing the kind of representation that sets new standards. His approach to constituency projects is grounded in sustainability and impact. He has invested in building and renovating schools, upgrading healthcare facilities, constructing roads, sinking boreholes, and providing solar-powered streetlights to rural communities. His empowerment programmes for women and youth have created jobs, fostered entrepreneurship, and rejuvenated agriculture with modern tools and support for local farmers.
His outstanding performance has not gone unnoticed. He was named and received awards as Senator of the Year by both ThisDay/Arise News and Independent Newspaper. On April 8, 2025, he is set to receive the Leadership Newspaper “Politician of the Year 2024” award at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, an honour well deserved and richly earned.
At 73, Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, mni, CON, remains an indomitable force in Nigerian politics. He has proven that age is no barrier to advocacy, and that passion for service only deepens with time. His life is a testament to resilience, principle, and patriotism.
As he marks another year today, Nigeria salutes a man of unwavering conviction, a man for all seasons, who continues to stand firmly on the side of the people. We wish him many more years of good health, courage, and impactful service.
Victor Oshioke writes from Abuja, Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News is not liable for opinions expressed in this article, they’re strictly the writer’s
