It’s true, there were ‘peace meetings’. It’s also true that the leaders of the two warring factions of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki and Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of APC may have decided to sheath their sword for now due to intervention from some concerned individuals.
That is the beginning and end of their so called ‘peace deal’. The pursuit of and escape from each other is what presently defines their relationship. Simply put, they are engaged in a ‘cat and mouse’ game. From all indications, the camp of Mr. Adams Oshiomhole may have decided to deploy the tactics of ‘constant pursuit propaganda’ which can only guarantee near captures, and repeated escapes.
The report that appeared in the media, which gave wrong impression that the so called peace was made inside Aso Rock is a complete departure of what may have happened. The photographs of the two gladiators in happy mood does not represent the razor blade political tension in the state.
Expectedly, the photos left many guessing on how and when the ice was broken to relieve the tension that has enveloped the political space in Edo State for some time now.
In the tradition of Midwest Herald, to serve our readers with news behind the news, we went in search of the circumstances surrounding the sudden peace event. Unlike, the reports in circulation, that claimed that the duo where reunited during the presidential policy retreat at Aso Rock Villa, in Abuja, Midwest Herald can authoritatively report that the peace negotiation started 24 hours earlier and banters were exchanged before they arrived the Villa. In fact, two separate meetings took place in quick succession to discuss the details of the peace deal.
Midwest herald is reliably informed that the first platform for negotiation was provided by the Progressives Governors Forum. Those that were present there were two serving governors, a former governor who recently was nominated as Federal Minister, Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole and a wealthy billionaire from the northern part of the country, and others.
It was here that the key elemental issues were raised. We further gathered that one of the governors gave Obaseki the opportunity to identify the no go areas in the decisions taken already that he was not ready to negotiated away.
We are told he pointedly said that it will be hard to send a fresh ‘proclamation letter’ to the Clerk of Edo State House of Assembly for obvious reasons, as it will be at variance with the constitution.
Other knotty issues were discussed as both sides were encouraged to freely speak. That done, the governors then suggested a one-on-one meeting between the two warring leaders – Obaseki and Oshiomhole. However, probably to forestall the accusation of a sellout, the Edo State Governor insisted that his aides, should participate in the second meeting that was subsequently held in a suite at the Transcorp Hotel Abuja.
The discussion at the Transcorp meeting was candid and open and gave opportunity to Oshiomhole, Obaseki and two of his aides to trace where cracks developed in their relationship which was impregnable before now. It was clear that Oshiomhole was at a loss why he chose to lead attack on the government of Edo State.
Some persons who reportedly escalated the ‘minor’ disagreement to national proportion received special mention and they may subsequiently be the fall guys.
What is however unknown to Midwest Herald is the fate of such persons who Obaseki blamed for starting the trouble!
Truth is, peace has been negotiated but on ground, nothing may change as political divisions are not wished away in a hurry after the hurricane that swept through the state in the last 60 days.
Weary and fatigue of staying in exile, report filtered into our newsroom at press time, that some of the members elect were in Lagos allegedly pleading with a certain Edo State business man, Lee Ikpia, ostensibly to negotiate soft landing for them.
No doubt, the option of peaceful resolution is a rare face-saving opportunity for the APC national chairman and his Edo People Movement, including the fleeing members elect, since the plan to forcefully takeover the state Assembly by House of Representatives failed. It will be recall that in the last two weeks, several interest groups came out openly to declare their support for Governor Obaseki and also condemned the former governor, Adams Oshiomhole for inviting strangers to destabilize Edo politics in his quest to transform himself to the new political godfather.
Nigerians and in particular, Edo people are watching with bated breath to see the endurance of Transcorp Hilton hotel peace deal.