April 28, 2010
Professor Wole Soyinka was almost conned, today, into addressing a rally held for former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida. And the con man was the Edo State Governor, former labour leader Adams Oshiomhole.
Professor Wole Soyinka was almost conned, today, into addressing a rally held for former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida. And the con man was the Edo State Governor, former labour leader Adams Oshiomhole.Professor Soyinka was originally invited as Guest Speaker at a rally sponsored by IBB in conjunction with Governor Oshiomhole, which he had no intention of attending. However, in order to deceive Soyinka and other pro-democracy activists as well as the leadership of the Alliance for Democracy to show up at the event, Oshiomhole tagged it "One-Man-One-Vote".
Our sources said Professor Soyinka, in the company of Chief Bisi Akande, the chairman of the AC, as well as Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos, Usman Bugaje, Femi Ojudu, Kayode Fayemi, Wale Oshun and Osun State guber candidate Rafiu Aregbesola, had already arrived at the Government House in Benin City when they were informed that contrary to their understanding, the rally was actually being sponsored by Babangida who was already in a hotel in the city, accompanied by the Senate President, David Mark.
The revelation incensed the activists and they left Benin in anger after they had confronted Oshiomhole, who could not deny the plan. A furious Soyinka reportedly told Oshiomhole that he could not forgive such a high-stakes "419" scam being perpetrated by someone of his caliber.
Adams Oshiomhole is reportedly scheming to become IBB's Vice Presidential candidate in preparation for a full presidential run in 2015.
Saharareporters had exposed Oshiomhole's schemes against Goodluck Jonathan late last year as he connived with members of the Governors's Forum to frustrate all attempts to have Jonathan assume the presidency when the nature of Umaru Yar'Adua’s health came to light.
The two-time Nigeria Labour Congress president has always engaged in dubious political schemes including hosting the likes of James Ibori, as well as appointing IBB's spokespersons into his cabinet.
It remains to be seen how his dalliance with the discredited IBB, now that it has become public knowledge, will affect his political situation in Edo State. It is widely known that he has continued to combat former PDP chieftain Tony Anenih, saying that the reign of political godfathers in the state is over.
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