Ambassador Uhomoibhi Setting a Good Example… Politicians need to learn from him
By: Oriaifoh Godwins
In spite of the fact that some persons have always described politics as a dirty game, I have often maintained that; Politics is a very noble endeavor, but played by some persons that are dirty.
In view of the above, the end result of the Primary elections in Edo state, conducted by the All Progressives Congress, APC, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and the Labor Party, LP, comes to mind.
From the ‘Observers' corner’, Edo people are not unaware of all the intrigues, and scheming’s, the 'behind the curtains' transactions, that happened before and during the primaries conducted by all of these major political parties that have eventually identified their candidates for the Gubernatorial elections coming up later this year. Edo people that watched from a distance, as well as those that watched from a close range, all know that the erroneously but commonly used word, ‘Free and Fair’ is far from what transpired in all the three Political Parties; thankfully, however, the All Progressives Congress, APC, had to make clean their record when supplementary election was conducted so as to correct the fraud and error that characterized the one they earlier conducted. Kudos to those honest and sincere members and leadership of the APC that believe in strict democratic process in this Democratic dispensation. The peaceful loving People of Edo state, cannot thank those leaders enough, and it is my believe that, history wii speak well of them at the right time.
"Observers, including many of the leaders of the PDP, knew that Ambassador Uhomoibhi, who was an Ambassador of Nigeria to several countries, who once headed the UN, who has very 'loud' criteria, Integrity and connections, is the best candidate of them all, irrespective of the Political parties in the race"
Away from the above, the outstanding and sterling qualities displayed by Ambassador Prof Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi, OFR, one of the aspirants that contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is worthy of note. To be sincere, I am not surprised at his steadfastness and display of maturity even when it was clear that he was being schemed out of the race. From the grapevine, it was said that, several high powered persons were sent to talk to him to step down, like some did, for a so called "ANOINTED CHOICE", by a godfather; but he stood his ground, saying, he is in the race, and he will definitely end the race as he doesn't know how to back out, midway into a race. Hmmmmm... Very impressive. This quintessential Ambassador, who was the longest serving Permanent Secretary in the history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the Primary electioneering period, has always maintained that, he has no godfather, and that God almighty, is his father. Hmmmmm...I wish our Politicians can learn from this globally recognised, unassuming, and very simple man inestimable value to Edo state, Nigeria and human race. His records when he was in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as when he was the United Nations Undersecretary General in Dafur, are there for all to see.
I watched Ambassador Uhomoibhi's speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, in Benin, where the Edo Guber PDP primary was conducted, and my colleagues in the fourth Estate of the realm, that were present, agreed that Ambassador Uhomoibhi, is the best governor that Edo state never had. After the so called primaries, I watched the video of his 'loaded' speech again and again, and my conclusion was: It will take another generation to straighten out things in Edo state.
Observers, including many of the leaders of the PDP, knew that Ambassador Uhomoibhi, who was an Ambassador of Nigeria to several countries, who once headed the UN, who has very 'loud' criteria, Integrity and connections, is the best candidate of them all, irrespective of the Political parties in the race, but like it is in our culture in this part of the world, KAKISTOCRACY, government by the worst people, reigns supreme. I can not pray that God should deliver us from this situation, because, it's the choice that we make, and if we think it suits us, so?
After the primaries, unlike what some Politicians will resort to, Ambassador Uhomoibhi advised that we all must come together to straighten out our flawed leadership selection process. Nigeria Politicians must learn from Ambassador Uhomoibhi's exemplary display.