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. Who Poses the Greater Threat, Ize-Iyamu or Ogbide Ihama ?
Governor Monday Okpebholo must understand that politics is not just about making immediate decisions, it is about understanding the long term consequences of those decisions.
If he allows the political will of Nyesom Wike to prevail in Edo State, then he is indirectly permitting Wike to establish a full strong political structure within his own territory, history has shown that once a political structure is built, the next thing is for that structure to test its strength and seek control.
The critical question is, can Governor Monday Okpebholo truly control or influence Ogbeide Ihama politically when Wike stands solidly behind him? Politics is built on loyalty and influence, and in most cases, loyalty naturally follows the hand that creates the opportunity.
The Governor may be making a dangerous political miscalculation by believing that POI is his biggest threat. In reality, the more strategic threat may already be forming around him through the alliance of Wike, Ogbeide Ihama, and other powerful political interests of Wike in the state.
What they seek is simple, “political power and influence over Edo State.After helping Wike to ‘impose’ Ogbeide Ihama on the people of Edo South, what happens next? Does the Governor honestly believe that Ogbeide’s loyalty will remain with him instead of the man who fought to install him? Political history suggests otherwise.
If know Ogbeide’s loyalty tilts toward Wike rather than the Governor who is supposed to be the number one citizen of the state and leader of the party then the Governor may gradually lose control of his own political structure from within.
Even today, many observers already believe that Wike’s influence within the government is steadily increasing. What may appear small today could become overwhelming tomorrow if not carefully managed.
More importantly, if Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu a man who stood firmly behind Governor Monday’s emergence, defended him politically, and even fought battles that affected his own relationships for the Governor’s sake can suddenly become viewed as an enemy of the governor, then what guarantees that Governor Monday and Wike will remain politically aligned forever? “Wike not get friend”.
Politics has no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Alliances change the moment interests begin to clash.Perhaps the Governor is focusing too much attention in the wrong direction while the real political threat quietly grows closer around him. Sometimes, the greatest danger is not the opposition outside, but the influence being nurtured within.
Governor Monday must therefore think beyond today’s political victories and consider the long term implications of empowering external political forces whose ultimate loyalty may never truly belong to Edo State or to his leadership.
