Opinion
Adams Oshiomhole, Peter Obi and Nigeria of tomorrow
Did you hear of a certain governor that was given a proper beating by his best friend right inside his office due to the activities of his third leg? The story was that this particular man was the bestie of “His Excellency,” with whom they did a lot of escapades with other young girls in the state and elsewhere. But somehow the man was said to have missed that what the two of them were doing to other young girls, was going on right under his nose. His supposed friend was actually bedding his own daughter, whom the amniotic fluid had yet to dry on her head.
When he finally discovered, the man was said to have bid his time and chanced on the governor at a time he was supposed to be alone in his office. Walking past the governor’s unsuspecting aides, who did not bother him because they knew about his relationship with their oga, he quietly closed and locked the door and descended on the randy governor. Of course, because of the governor’s pint size, he was no match to his assailant’s heavy frame. It was when the din from the commotion inside became loud enough that the security eventually pulled down the door to rescue their master from his friend. By that time, the big oga was half-dead. But, somehow, because of the scandal, the incident was killed in a hush-hush, lest the world heard. Unfortunately not much harm came to the assailant because he was also a big gun.
Another story. This one I witnessed with my eyes. I was part of a group of reporters invited by a governor to his campaign flagoff. In the evening, we’re to have dinner with that governor. While we’re seated in his sitting room at night having a chat, we suddenly noticed a stream of hot-legged ladies in their various levels of undress or underdress, filing into the same living room. Our man nearly jumped out of his skin from embarrassment. The trepidation in his voice as he directed the courier or is it vendor of the unholy visitors to the proper room bviously betrayed how scandalised he felt. For this was a man, who at that point was pontificating about morality. How the gods chose that moment to expose and disgrace him, remains a mystery.
Again, and I think I’ve once told this story many times. It’s about a governor that was a personal friend. He was my friend before he became a governor, so, there were no airs between us. In public, I would address him in first or second person singular – Your Excellency or – His Excellency, depending which fitted the occasion. But outside there, it was his name, even his guy name. We were that close.
But how did we become sworn enemies even before his first tenure ended. I told him the truth. I respected his office, but I didn’t kowtow or genuflect before him nor fear him unlike many others including people far older who told him that he was next to god, even as they meant the opposite and said so immediately out of earshot.
Earlier in his years, he would always send for me to review some of his activities, especially those ones that were fundamental to real governance in his state. In fact, he made it clear to his aides to my hearing of course that I should have free access to him anytime I desired and needed no prior appointment to do so.
It was at such an occasion that he made a very strange declaration to me. No doubt, this my friend was so popular in the state at the beginning that virtually everyone sang his praises, because his policies and programmes were topnotch from the beginning, as he hit the ground running.
He told me, you see all these things I’m doing, it’s just for this period. In the next two years, I’ll use everything I have to prepare for my re-election and if it means importing soldiers from North Korea, I’ll do it. Shock was a minor word. I was practically stunned. I never expected such from such an educated man, who was doing so great at that moment.
But I didn’t waste time neither did I mince words. But you don’t need any soldier from anywhere. You’re doing well already, I told him. Hold election today, it will be a walk in the park for you, I emphasised. His reply, was, my friend, you don’t know politics. Of course, just as he told me in that early encounter, my friend did exactly as he said.
It started gradually – from one uncanny act to the other, from one anti-people policy to the other, the degeneration began. By the time it came to his re-election period, he truly needed those North Korean soldiers to push himself back to office. From open thuggery to bare-faced impunity – breaking bones and backs of anyone that as much as made of whimper of challenge including those of the state legislature and even elders of the state amongst them, governors before him, to the extent that the state witnessed a harvest of strange murders that were all suspected to be political with many fingers pointing at him.
Not surprising that my friend started fencing me, because, outside noticing my aversion for his activities, I actually reported them in the cause of my duty as a journalist enjoined me. The only luck I had in the end was that I was not harmed, even though I was caught one way or the other in the crossfire of live bullets from the verbal and political weapons flying around.
It was later that I got to know that my good friend was himself a victim of circumstances. When he told me that I didn’t understand politics, he was only speaking in parables. What I didn’t know, because he did not tell me, was that there were higher forces. He was already under some form of threat from Abuja, because the money he was using to create all the feats in his state initially, in the calculation of his traducers, neither belonged to him nor the state. It belonged to those powers. It was money to be shared. Who needed his good work, when there were huge valleys of greed to fill? So, while he was getting popular in his state making headlines as performing governor, he was practically annoying some big guns elsewhere.
This reality was not only brought home to him, but the consequences as well. He must have been told that the only way he would return to power was to hand over the purse of the state to Abuja, – party bigwigs and of course, Villa Men. Else! It was a matter of making his choice – a matter of either or.
What this particular experiences teach me is never take anything on the facelift in politics, be it in Nigeria or elsewhere. But since we live in Nigeria, it is pertinent to note that whenever someone, especially a politician, Nigerian politician is making a statement, or strenuously fighting for something, be sure there is a bigger reason pushing the person.
Yes! Each time a typical Nigerian politician speaks, look closely. He’s speaking from the standpoint of greed or from the complete loss of his humanity and decency. Ask yourself the type of human being that would be sleeping with the daughter of his closest friends with whom he shares everything, even of deepest secrets. It must be somebody that has lost his soul completely. It is the same when greed is the motivation. Ask yourself why a man, would continue stealing after having stolen so much.
Indeed, in the home of some of these people, everything they own from the pin to the exotic furniture to their luxury cars, are the proceeds of mindless pillaging of the peoples commonwealth. Yet, they remain relentless. Else, tell me how a man who has stolen N1billion, which is N100million into 10 places from the public till will continue stealing. But that’s what you find. The same man steals 10, 100 and more and continues. He has estates in Abuja, he has estates in Port Harcourt, he has estates in Lagos, he has estates in Warri, yet he’s still stealing! That’s how greed drives people to madness.
So, don’t be surprised at the fixation of some political hounds in the country on Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and now presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP). I’m not, because I know where they are coming from. After all, which other clime outside Africa, particularly Nigeria, would permit the level of official, monumental and free for all thievery going on in the country at the moment? You may have heard how oil thieves from the moon, arrive Nigeria, load barges with crude, put them in their breastpockets and disappear.
In one recent case, one of such vessels was reportedly apprehended in Equatorial Guinea. Now, did you hear the official explanation? Wait! The vessel was chased out of Nigerian waters by security operatives and was about to be caught when it landed into the said country. You’ll know how fast a ship laden with 300,000 would be moving that even a speedboat would not catch up with it. But then, this is Nigeria.
So, when you hear Adams Oshiomhole, descend on Obi in the manner he just did, last week, you ought to know from whence he’s travelling from. This was a mere tailor at a garment factory. Today, without any inventing a machine that would package Ewa Agoin and bread into an international snack or any other unique invention to his name outside transmuttng from union leader to the government house as a governor, he has become one of the reference points when life and living in opulence is in issue.
You may have heard how he now lives in a mansion that could only be compared to that of the late Michael Jackson’s palatial Neverland Ranch in California in his Iyamho, Auchi, Edo State village, complete with top-roof swimming pool, private lakes and forest for hunting. That is a fraction in what is now associated to him. So, when last Sunday, you heard the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), telling participants the party’s Youth Summit in Abuja that Obi was bad news, you’ll not be surprised. Who wouldn’t do everything to protect the road to such stupendous luxury. Never mind gory story behind it.
Hear him: “For those of you who are social media warriors, go to google and look at the first six months of Governor Willie Obiano’s administration in Anambra state. What you are going to find on YouTube is Governor Obiano using bulldozers to demolish the homes of kidnappers and those involved in Bakassi boys and Bakassi girls. Who was the governor when Bakassi developed in Anambra State? Who solved the problem? If a man could not fix the security challenges in Anambra State, which requires courage, how can he convince you that he will fix security all over Nigeria? Don’t take it from me, go to YouTube. I don’t want to look for trouble, I am a small man, anybody can deal with me.
“If he had solved the security problem, would Obiano be demolishing people’s houses, the houses of kidnappers? When he says, ‘I will fix Nigeria ask him, have you fixed your state? He calls himself a trader, what trade does he do? Importing or exporting? What does he import? Find out. You’ll know those brutalising the economy.”
Now, did Obi bring Bakassi Boys to Anambra? No! The dreaded group was the solution Obi’s last but one predecessor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, tried to employ to eradicate the crippling menace of criminality in the state. Even Chris Ngige, who took over from him did not meet the head hunters, who left Anambra reeling from the dizzying effects of their escapades of open execution of their victims.
Until he left office, Obi battled the owners of Upper Class Hotel in Onitsha, where three human heads were allegedly discovered, which was one amongst the series of such drastic measures meant to chase away kidnappers in the state, in fulfillment of the law he got the House of Assembly to pass, one of which was to demolish the buildings belonging to perpetrators of such high crimes.
All these facts were there for Oshiomhole at the tap of a button. But no! This is a threat that must be put down by all means. Why not, what manner of public official would reject the type of official perks in the manner of the former Governor of Anambra State had done. This was a man as chairman of a bank refused to move into Victoria Island or Ikoyi where his contemporaries resided, but chose to remain in his modest Festac apartment.
How could you, as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reject a whopping N500million, official cars and house, attached to your office and decide to operate on your own. Surely, this is unheard of. This is bad news for Nigeria, because others might learn from him and it would become a trend.
Don’t forget that at the time both of them were governors, Obi was recorded as the lone voice that encouraged the Federal Government to save money made from the high cost of crude during the time of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, while the group led by Oshiomhole insisted that it was already raining and that nothing should be saved.
Yet, the same Obi was to exemplify what he preached by saving over N75billion surplus for Anambra, while Oshiomhole, left debts of over N800billion debt for Edo State out of which N70billion was owed contractors. While Oshiomhole owed over six years arrears of pension and gratuities, Obi cleared N35billion in pension arrears, left zero debt. While Oshiomhole paid himself N200 million severance package with a house worth over N300 million, Obi, neither took anything nor got anything in and out of office.
So, when next time you hear from Oshiomhole, never be surprised what his fears are. Well over 70, he probably thinks he could live forever, forgetting that there was once a Mr. Fix it, who ones acted as if he had the power of life and death. By the way, have you forgotten that it was the selfsame Oshiomhole that once told the world that a Minister in Jonathan’s cabinet, took away $6billion in one day. Imagine a mind that could conjure such monumental fabrication. Think of what such a mind could do and how low it could go!
By Ken Harries Esq
There are few spectacles more embarrassing in politics than a man arguing passionately against himself while pretending to be attacking someone else. Psychologists call this cognitive dissonance. The rest of us call it eating your own words without choking. It is a difficult performance. The audience remembers the speech made earlier out of conviction, the newspapers preserve the quotes, and the politician is left insisting that black is white and that he has always believed the reverse of what he said. This is a classic Catch-22 situation.
Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is presently engaged in such a trial. He finds himself confronted not by Senator Godswill Akpabio, but by a far more formidable adversary: his own words. The evidence against him is not supplied by his enemies. It is supplied by his own mouth. The falcon cannot hear the falconer.
In May 2025, Oshiomhole stood on the floor of the Senate and delivered one of the most effusive endorsements ever offered by a senator to another. Under Akpabio’s leadership, he posited, opposition politicians were joining the APC voluntarily and happily. The atmosphere in the Senate had become more cordial. Political tensions were easing. Defections were taking place without intimidation, coercion or conflict.
Then came the line that would become impossible to forget. “Mr Senate President, I thought that you would enter the Guinness Book of Records.”
For Oshiomhole, Akpabio’s leadership was not merely effective but profound. It was exceptional. He described it as “truly uncommon and increasingly uncommon.” He praised Akpabio’s patience, warmth and ability to attract political opponents through persuasion rather than pressure. He spoke admiringly of the Senate President’s smile and suggested that his leadership style had succeeded where others had failed. This was not a routine parliamentary courtesy. It was lavish public endorsement and heartfelt sentiments.
Indeed, Oshiomhole went even further to contextualize his praise of Akpabio. He reminded his audience of his reputation as someone who always speaks out of conviction, and added that public figures had an obligation to acknowledge success when they saw it.
That was Oshiomhole speaking. That was Oshiomhole’s standard. That was Oshiomhole’s record. That was Oshiomhole being Oshiomhole.
Now, fast forward to June 2026.
Appearing on a podcast, the same Oshiomhole launched one of his strongest (and strangest) attacks yet on Akpabio. Among other claims, he alleged that the Senate President’s daughter had secured employment at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited through improper influence and outside normal procedures. The allegation was serious and spurious. It was also, according to Akpabio’s colleagues, completely false.
The Senate President’s Spokesperson stated that it is trite that whoever alleges must proof. He asserted further that none of Akpabio’s children work at NNPC or any of its subsidiaries. Suddenly, the issue was no longer about Akpabio. The issue became a test of Oshiomhole’s integrity and conscience.
How does a former labour leader, former governor, former national chairman of the ruling party and serving senator make such a damaging allegation without first establishing a basic fact: whether the person in question even works where he claims? More troubling still was Oshiomhole’s own explanation for the allegation: “Somebody told me.”
Those three words should worry every Nigerian. Not because politicians should never raise concerns about public institutions. They should. Not because powerful people should be shielded from scrutiny. They should not. But because a democracy cannot function when public accusations are built on hearsay rather than evidence.
The low standards expected from a roadside gossip are not the standards expected from a senator of the Federal Republic. And that is what makes this episode so disappointing and worrisome. Like the first Adam, this Adams gave Eve the apple of lies and digested it.
Adams should have known better. He is not an ordinary politician. His place in Nigeria’s political history compels him to be more circumspect in his communication. He rose through the labour movement to become one of the country’s most recognisable public figures. He challenged military rule. He led workers’ struggles. He governed Edo State. He chaired the APC at a critical period in its development.
Few public figures have accumulated such political capital. Yet the path he toed which made Oshiomhole formidable now appears increasingly to be covered with indignity and less than noble motives.
For much of his career, he thrived on confrontation. There was always a cause to champion, an adversary to challenge or an institution to hold accountable. That instinct served him well when it was anchored in facts and robed with decency.
The danger comes when confrontation becomes an end in itself. Then the need to fight begins to outweigh the need to verify. Then attention becomes more important than accuracy. Then the line between advocacy and recklessness begins to disappear. The contradiction in Oshiomhole’s treatment of Akpabio is therefore impossible to ignore.
A little over a year ago, he was publicly suggesting that Akpabio deserved a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Today, he paints him with tar brush as a beneficiary of nepotism. A little over a year ago, he praised Akpabio’s leadership as a model of political inclusion and persuasion. Today, he portrays him as a leader whose conduct deserves public suspicion. A little over a year ago, he was urging Nigerians to acknowledge what was working. Today, he is making allegations that appear incapable of surviving basic scrutiny and integrity test.
What changed? Did new evidence emerge? Did Akpabio suddenly become a different person? Or is something else at work? Some observers point to Oshiomhole’s growing frustration with developments within the Senate itself, particularly debates around the chamber’s rules and leadership structure. Whether that explanation is accurate or not, it highlights an uncomfortable reality about Nigerian politics and politicians’ sweet descent.
Too often, political disagreements that should remain institutional become personal. Policy disagreements become personality conflicts. Procedural disputes become vendettas. Legitimate criticism becomes a vehicle for settling scores. And when that happens, truth is usually the first casualty. This is where Senator Oshiomhole risks damaging something far more valuable than any political rivalry.
He risks damaging his credibility. Credibility is a strange asset. It takes decades to build and only moments to diminish. It is the reason people listen when a public figure speaks. It is the foundation upon which influence rests. Once it begins to erode, every future intervention becomes harder to take seriously.
That is the tragedy here. Oshiomhole does not need sensational allegations to remain relevant. He has already earned relevance. He does not need unverified claims to command attention. His record already guarantees attention. He does not need to manufacture controversy and peddle rumours. His experience alone should mean his voice would always matter in national conversations.
What he needs is the discipline that once distinguished him from countless others in public life. The discipline to verify before accusing. The discipline to separate evidence from rumour. The discipline to recognise that prominence carries responsibilities. History is often kinder to politicians than their contemporaries. It overlooks many mistakes and forgives many errors. But history is also unforgiving when it comes to patterns.
And a pattern appears to be emerging. The labour leader who once built a reputation on speaking truth to power now risks becoming associated with speaking before establishing the truth. The politician who once demanded accountability now finds himself facing questions about his own standards. The man who urged others to “put a record” when things were going well now stands accused of abandoning the record altogether when it became politically convenient.
That is why this story is ultimately not about Godswill Akpabio. It is about Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. It is about the danger of allowing ambition, frustration and ego to eclipse judgement. It is about how distinguished careers are rarely destroyed by a single scandal or a single defeat.
More often, they unravel through a series of avoidable choices. A careless allegation here. An unverified claim there. A growing willingness to sacrifice accuracy for effect. For a man of Oshiomhole’s stature, that should be the real concern. Because the greatest threat to his legacy is not Akpabio but ego and himself
It is the possibility that, after spending decades building a reputation for courage and credibility, Adams Oshiomole may now be remembered for diminishing both with reckless falsehoods and needless ego of his own making.
•Ken Harries Esq is an Abuja based Development Communication Strategist
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