By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Though the octogenarian’s birthday was two days before, many did not mind to cast aside their other schedules to honour the man many have referred to as the builder and maker of the two states carved out of the former Midwest Region.

The event was a lecture to honour Brig. Gen. Sam Ogbemudia on his 83rd birthday at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Benin last Saturday.

Conspicuously present were the two governors of Delta and Edo States, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Okowa came as the guest lecturer while Oshiomhole served as chief host.

Also present were elements from Ogbemudia’s military constituency among whom were former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Chris Alli, Major General Paul Omu, General Godwin Abbe, Colonel Paul Ogbebor among other retired associates of the former army general.

The political constituency was also well represented and included among others, former Governor Osherienmen Osunbor of Edo State, Speaker Monday Igbuya of the Delta State House of Assembly and a number of commissioners mostly from Delta State. Royalty was also well represented and was led by the Iyase of Benin, who is the warlord of the Benin Kingdom.

The academic community was also represented by a powerful delegation of the University of Abuja led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Adikwu whose delegation included high-ranking officials of the university.

Oshiomhole had no speaking role in the programme, having been delegated as the chief host of the event. His remarks that day were nevertheless weighty and pointed to how far the warmth in the relationship between the two men had developed since those heady days when the governor first came to power in 2008.

Praising Ogbemudia for not using his position as a two-time governor of the old Bendel State to amass l resources to himself and tilt infrastructure to his advantage, the comrade governor said Ogbemudia at 83 had nothing again to prove to Nigerians.

The governor pointed to the fact that when he came to power that the street to Ogbemudia’s Benin residence was virtually impassable. Of course, one of the things that have won Oshiomhole praise is the way he reconstructed about ten roads in Ogbemudia’s vicinity with state of the art roads, street lights and underground drainage system.

The Edo governor, however, may have touched a raw nerve among some politically minded when he openly charged Ogbemudia to leave the political stage, noting “I think sir that at 83, you have done enough for Nigeria and that your excellency has nothing to prove again.

What are you still doing in politics? You should be a father of all.” Oshiomhole’s plea was against the background of recent efforts by Ogbemudia to use his Edo Mass Movement to project a worthy successor for Oshiomhole who is due to leave office next year.

“The only role you can do this is by freeing yourself from the confines of a political party so that every Edo man can feel free to come to you. So sir, be our father,” the governor said. Only recently, Ogbemudia had put his political naysayers on edge when he again registered for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP despite his open support for Oshiomhole.

It is a development that has put the PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC which is the ruling party in Edo State on edge. While the PDP are openly scornful of him on account of his support for their nemesis, Oshiomhole, the APC as indicated by the governor’s remark is also apprehensive of what Oshiomhole may come up with.

That, however, did not take the shine away from the glitz and grace that were showcased on Ogbemudia that day. The guest lecturer, Dr. Okowa in his lecture titled “Towards Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria: The role of political parties” affirmed that viable political parties were fundamental to the existence of a true democracy.

Noting the linkages between a sustainable democracy and the role of political parties, the Delta State governor pointed that such relationship would help to deepen the rule of law, nudge political parties to fulfill their campaign promises, promote leadership by example among others. Noting the role of his own party, the PDP in laying a good foundation for democracy, Governor Okowa said:

By refusing to yield to the temptation to repress other political parties, President Jonathan and PDP have, in fact, laid a solid foundation for sustainable democracy in the country.   Lest you think I am blowing our trumpets let me refer us to an article in The Guardian of March 27, 2015, by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Gbenga Akinfenwa. In it they wrote:

“Ironically, the biggest achievement of the party (PDP) may as well lie in its losing the power at the centre and handing over to the opposition without acrimony.   Many of the alleged sins of the party would easily be forgiven by the people; especially given the fact that there is no perfect government in the world.

To all intent and purpose, including demilitarisation of the polity and professionalising the military, the nation could be said to be in a transition period requiring a firm and patriotic leadership. The PDP may have provided this by ensuring that the nation did not only survive these hiccups, but foundation for sustainable democracy is entrenched.”

Perhaps one of the more touchy issues in the lecture was the matter of party supremacy. It was especially so in the light of developments in the National Assembly where the ill-defined “leadership” of the ruling APC has sought to muscle its way in imposing a leadership for the legislature.

“When the issue of the party being supreme in the governance of a system is canvassed, it is never intended that the constitution of the party is superior to the Constitution of the country. It only means that since the Constitution has not yet made provision for independent candidates, you cannot be an elected representative of anybody or community unless you are a member of a political party.

“Therefore, as much as possible you respect the rules and regulations of that party.    However, those rules and regulations must not conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.   Regarding the recent tussle over the leadership of the Senate, the Constitution is clear that the President of the Senate will be elected by a simple majority of members present at the inauguration of the chamber.   He cannot be imposed on the red chamber from the outside.

“There are clear limitations to party supremacy; it cannot override the Constitution of the country,” the governor said to the wild applause of his captive audience.