OSHIOMHOLE: The Place Of Culture In Democratic Governance

EDO STATE GOVERNOR, COMRADE ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE.

Culture is one of such useful concepts which aid us in putting some order to the complex mass of social interactions.  Many political scholars believe that culture as a concept provides a useful springboard for the study of political life. 

Culture provides the analytical tool to find the connection between the values of the citizen and the form of governance under which he/she lives.  Based on this, we can focus on the basic values which are widely shared and which by extension, are supportive of the particular regime type.

To this extent, we can investigate the value basis of Democracy as a specific type of political culture.  The concept of culture is therefore a fruitful perspective for the understanding of the concept of Democracy.

Victor Barnouw defined culture as “a way of life of group of people, the configuration of all of the more or less stereotyped patterns of learned behavior which is handed down from one generation to the next through means of language and imitation.”  Inferred from above, any item of Behavior which is peculiar to a single individual in a society is not to be considered as part of the society’s culture.

In Democratic governance, those in authority must predicate their actions upon the values and norms of the people.  Without a good cultural attitude, you cannot play good politics.  Some values are inherently specific to defined cultural setting while some are universally upheld, for example, the respect for elders is a generally accepted norm especially in Africa. 

In the Christendom, the Bible teaches us to respect our elders.  This norm is applicable in every sphere of life including politics.  It is abnormal for a junior one to openly insult an elder in the public place.

It is sad to note that recent happenings in the political environment in Edo State have shown that some political gladiators have demonstrated a limited capacity for pure rationality.

Edo State is a state noted for its rich cultural heritage, with rich traditional institutions respected all over the world.  It is a state that until recent past was one of the four regions of Nigeria.  It is one of the states of the country that is naturally endowed with rich natural and human resources. 

It is a state that has renown prominent educational institutions i.e. University of Benin, the first State owned University, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi etc.  It is a state that has produced renowned and highly responsible leaders in all spheres of life.  It is a state that has produced responsible and visionary Governors i.e. S.O. Ogbemudia and Professor Ambrose Alli.

We observed with utmost dismay and disappointment at the conduct speeches to the current Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole at a rally to receive defecting former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Congress (AC) at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin as contained in THISDAY, the Sunday Newspapers, November 1, 2009. 

His public utterances and actions against the person of Chief Tony Anenih, one of the foremost National leaders of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Nigeria depict a man who idolized ethical decline on the altar of raw politics.  Oshiomhole is currently so hopelessly denuded in act of indiscipline unsupported by culture much to the discomfiture of saner and ennobling public good and order.  Many sane Nigerians are shocked beyond measure at the moral turpitude of a public officer who occupies an exalted position of a Governor of a State.

In a public Political gathering of that nature, instead of addressing fundamental issues as a sitting governor that could make his government and party attractive to the people of Edo State, he reduced himself to issueless issues by embarking on a mendacious campaign to smear the image of Tony Anenih.

Perhaps, the only agenda at the well popularized “earthquake rally” was “let us pour insults on a political icon, an old man popularly referred to as Mr. Fix it”, what an unphilosophical philosophy. I can observe with piteousness at his level of poverty of thought when he referred to Anenih as dying Godfather, a leader who does not want to retire and that he would preside over the political funeral of Anenih.

Oshiomhole’s presentations at the rally clearly portrays him as a man who lacks good culture, vision and has nothing to offer other than an unkempt garage like attitude, disrespect for elders which is out of tune with the various cultures in Africa and Edo State in particular. Oshiomhole must realize that the act of governance entails more than trade unionism.  It requires more of diplomacy, finesses, tolerance, respect and reasoning before making public comments.

His level of disrespect and the manner in which he subjects credible Leader/Elders of the state to disrepute (Ogbemudia and Anenih) etc has gotten to an intolerable level.  A Governor should and must learn how to respect his predecessors in office and elders.  Oshiomhole should take a leaf from the good conduct of the Governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan especially in the way he has managed his relationship with Chief E.K. Clarke and the Elders of Delta State.

Perhaps, the conduct of the Oshiomhole’s Nigeria brings to mind the need to resuscitate and strengthen the Institute for Democratic Governance.

Oshiomhole has every advantage as an incumbent Governor to attract more people to his part, this he could have done at the rally enumerating his achievements in office, if any exist and stating what Edo people stand to benefit from his Action Congress Party government. 

To predicate his rally messages on the person of Chief Tony Anenih is to be involved in a non sequiturial argumentation, an Argumentum Ad baccalum.  Perhaps, he forgot that he is the Governor of the State.  He still thinks that he is a critic of Government or opposition leader.

It is needless to comment on the speeches of the decampees, suffice to mention that they are unprincipled lots whose only order they have is an orderliness order.

It is my believe that the day is still for Oshiomhole to retrace his footsteps.  He should abandon his act of brigandry, thugery and intimidations and imbibe the good culture of respect for elders, tolerance and good mannerism. 

He should apologize to chief Tony Anenih, the taciturn and ever forgiving amiable political Leader, mend fences with his predecessors in office especially the highly respected Gen. S.O. Ogbemudia, carry all and sundry along irrespective of party affiliations and deliver the gains of democracy to the people.

Dr. Tobore Eboh writes from Benin City, Edo state.