Edo's Rule of Minority

Edo's rule of the minority: how a small cabal is instituting a state capture at the behest of Obaseki*

The term "state capture" was the 2017 word of the year in South Africa. It became a popular phrase following the uncovering of Jacob Zuma's surrender of state resources to a family in a highly-sophisticated and corrupt arrangement.

Zuma, who has since been ousted from power, may be unpopular in his home country, but he has found a willing disciple in Godwin Obaseki of Edo state.

Like Jacob Zuma, in a desperate bid to entrench himself in power against the will of the majority, Godwin Obaseki has placed state resources into the hands of a cabal who, in the past three years, has plundered and diverted funds while the masses continue a sad descent into poverty and hardship.

At the forefront of this cabal is the Deputy Governor and the Secretary to the state government, Philip Shaibu and Osarodion Ogie. Unleashed by an insecure governor in search of support, they have both acted with impunity in the awarding and inflation of contracts to unqualified contractors, some of whom are relatives and only exist on the pages of the paper.

There is also Tijani Nwadei, the Executive Assistant to the Governor who was ferried from Lagos. TJ, as he is popular known, is referred to as the defacto governor given his tremendous influence as he acts as the circuit to channel funds and stash them in hidden accounts. He controls access to the governor and actively promotes the ostracism of party members over fear they might get too powerful and jostle with the governor for a second term ticket.

John Inegbedion, the Commisioner of Finance, given his important position, is also a prominent member of the cabal as he offers insights on sophisticated means of doctoring the books and papering over gaping holes.

To avoid being exposed, and to eliminate checks and balance, Godwin Obaseki has also coopted the Speaker of the State Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, as a low-ranking member of the cabal. He has defunded the legislature to disempower members, and continues to plot with the Speaker on ways to prevent the inauguration of some of the newly-elected members into office over fears they may frustrate his state capture efforts.

The amount of scrutiny he has faced in the past few days, and an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over his [mis]management of the Paris Club refund funds, have placed fear in the heart of Obaseki and put him in a schizophrenic mood. The Governor fears he may soon be exposed and thus, he has embarked on a campaign of calumny against those asking questions, while also plotting secretly to use state actors against them.

This cabal who want to maintain access to the state vault as a way to enjoy luxury at the detriment of the Edo people, are leading Obaseki on in his journey to disrepute and political oblivion. If Obaseki needs any example on how this kind of journey ends, he has the fall and disgrace of Jacob Zuma to learn from. The end is near.