By Olomu Onyiye
It is amusing when some critics demonize or blame Gov Okowa for the inglorious exit of Hon Cairo from the PDP to the politically itchy arms of the APC. The question for them shall also remain: were they in Gov Okowa’s position and given the circumstances surrounding the comportment of Hon Cairo Ojuigbo and his band of PDP irredentists prior to their exit, how differently would they have handled the situation?
Let me however quickly preempt righteous critics who opine that Gov Okowa should have literally gone begging Hon Cairo to remain in PDP. This is indeed nothing but outright hypocrisy.
Perhaps, they need to be reminded that Hon Cairo did not leave the PDP because of the rehashed tales he spewed at his stage- managed defection. Hon Cairo simply left because their mandate( that of himself and boss) as subtle moles of the APC in PDP expired abnitio by reason of the judicial fiat of the Supreme Court.
We recall that just a few months back, same Hon Cairo it was that blatantly insisted that as part of his acceptance of the reconciliatory moves by the PDP, the whole political apparatuses and structures of the PDP in Delta State be harmonized and handed over to him and his factional leadership. Unfortunately at the time, Hon Cairo had no iota of consideration and respect for Gov Okowa excepting the hideous intent to humiliate and have him emasculated inspite of His Excellency being the authentic or de facto leader of the Party in the State.
Since therefore these critics do not desire the understanding that politics is eternally about vested interests; that again Hon Cairo is not a kid not to know what political choices to undertake outside the preferences of Gov Okowa, they should continue to recline in their misplaced blame game. These critics should wait for their own time when they can joyously take the fabled serpent or tortoise into their bosom in a bid to play to the gallery or to attain their version of political correctness.
Furthermore, I am of the opinion that the insinuation of critics of an impending or looming replay of the fallouts which occurred during the 2015 Elections and in relation to the then five nPDP Governors( and their followers )is even more preposterous. By this,such critics have presumably overarched their hunches and hopes.
They should rather be asking whether Nigerians by now will still willingly get involved in such unnecessary flurry which eventually led to regrets by even the nPDP folks themselves.
Apart from Hon Ameachi that has shamelessly gone mute and blind to the gross incompetence and misrule of the Government he connived to bring to power, what currently are the lots of the Babangidas, Nyakos, Lamidos etc? Even at that, Hon Cairo,his boss and their combined band of political brigandsdo not have the capacity o public support and goodwill to pull such stints and stunts of these more politically formidable actors.
Lastly,I refuse to be drawn into the arena of accusations and propaganda being spinned by Hon Cairo right now. However, I wish I could ask Hon Cairo these: why the squealing now?Could it just be for the sake of blinding revenge against a more graced brother? Could his recent actions be hinged on some motive which of course does not have anything to do with patriotism and love for the rest of us who belong to the camp of commoners and the masses?
Hon Cairo has only captured the true essence and political mannerisms of the APC. He seems to have blended seamlessly into the mainstream choreography of the APC which must perennially blame the PDP for all the problems of Nigeria’ s past,present and future.
No doubt, even though he’ s already assured a bath in the pond of APC sainthood and progressivism, Hon Cairo should ponder a while on the inappropriateness for instance of just parroting away that tertiary Education in all APC- led States ( including that of Ambrose Alli University in Edo State) are all tuition- free.
Every well- meaning Deltan should ordinarily kick against the increment in fees at Delta State University, Abraka. But it smacks of outright untruth to lay claims that the hike was occasioned or done by Executive fiat. Universities everywhere else are run daily by substantive Vice- Chancellors and Governing Councils which are equally saddled with the responsibility of making and enforcing policies therein .
What then the ambitious Hon Cairo could have done first is to petition the Governor giving a time frame for his demands to be granted rather than running to press in order to quickly score a cheap political point.
As to the issue of the budget,since Cairo also petitioned the President, why is he desperately running amok without allowing the Presidency and it’s relevant governmental agencies to do their investigative jobs?
Nonetheless, I am still wondering how long Hon Cairo’ s honeymoon shall last as the newly- found lousy and over- excited bride of the APC? That is a question whose answer is still in the womb of time.
