Hypocrisy, at Dr. Ogbemudia's passage

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By Senator Ehigie Uzamere, ksc

Days after the news of Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo  Ogbemudia's demise broke, his house on Ihaya Street, Benin City, has become a mecca of sorts. For who he was, and friendships he cultivated across the length and breadth of this country and beyond, such pilgrimage is expected. This also, coupled with the fact that he did not  retire into oblivion after his military career, but went into active politics, makes a huge turn out of people on condolence visit to his family, inevitable.

However, I am taken aback by the number of fellow Benin men and women on condolence visit to his home. The same people who did not recognize him while he was alive. The same people who disregarded him in the party, PDP, he co-founded, but showed allegiance to a non- Benin, are now crying more than the bereaved. I hasten to ask: Is this belated show of love out of guilty conscience? A show of regret of what ought to have been, but was left undone till death parted our ways with him?

God gave us in Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, an intelligent Benin man that made us proud. He was unarguably, the best performing military Governor when he served under General Yakubu Gowon. How much was built on the solid foundation he laid for our State and how much did we, his immediate Benin brothers and sisters do to preserve and reward his stewardship? May I refresh our memories to 2015 elections, where it was an uphill task, giving his daughter PDP  ticket to the State Assembly primaries. Was she not ably qualified or was it a show of defiance and disregard to her father, that made her lose in the general election? In Delta State, Governor James Ibori's daughter did not find it difficult winning a seat in their State Assembly.

It took a non Benin man to restore his dignity and pride of place. It took Governor Oshiohmole to re-tar Ihaya Street and environs. Short of abusing him openly, we his brothers did not treat him well while he was alive. For this reason, I  see most of us  as shedding crocodile tears and I classify some of our present actions as hypocrisy borne out of  ignoble inaction. May his death bring us the Benins together, in a fight against jealousy and unnecessary rivalry - twin vices that have ruined us as a people. We need this togetherness irrespective of party affiliation, to foster unity among us, which will make room for development of our Senatorial District and Edo State in general. Anything short of this, will keep us perpetually at number three in the political equation in our State. May his soul rest in peace.

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