OGBEMUDIA AT 80: THE TITAN TUGS ON

By Godwin Erhahon, Benin City
Our Legend,
Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia appears to me as a man who died twice and
resurrected twice before our very eyes and therefore, a living ancestor. When,
in July 1975, his government was overthrown by the Murtala Mohammed coup that
sacked the General Yakubu Gowon-led Military Government under which then
Brigadier Ogbemudia was Military Governor of Midwestern Region (later Bendel
State), many saw him as dead, socially and politically. Ogbemudia the hero and
super-genius was vilified by many, jeered at by some and worst of all, betrayed
by many of his friends and beneficiaries.

But Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, a man of great faith, sagacity and strategy held on to the
rope of life and never let go. He tugged on.
When the Military handed over government to elected civilians in 1979, Dr Ogbemudia was out of
reckoning in the politics of the time, having been banned from public office
and dismissed with ignominy from the Military Service. Those were the judgments
of men, not of God! Bendel, his home state which he laboured to develop to the
envy of others was won by the leading opposition Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)
with Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Ali of blessed memory as Governor.  UPN administration became so popular by its excellent performance that the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) which was then in
control of the federal government became afraid to face it in the 1983 governorship
election in Bendel State with its then existing membership.

Like the biblical Joseph who was released from prison by King Pharaoh of Egypt to become
prime minister, Ogbemudia was granted presidential pardon, enlisted into the
membership of NPN with fanfare and finally nominated as the governorship
candidate of NPN to challenge gentleman Professor Ambrose Ali. Dr Ogbemudia was
declared winner and sworn in as Governor of Bendel State on October 1, 1983.
UPN did not give up; they dragged the new Governor, its party, NPN and then
Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) to election petition tribunal. As fate
would have it, the military overthrew the civilian rule on the eve of New Year
Day, January 1, 1984 while the petition was still pending. Thus, Dr Ogbemudia became
the first Nigerian to govern a state twice in different regimes and also first
to be twice overthrown as Governor, that I know.
This to many, was the second death of Dr Ogbemudia within eight years! For every governor
overthrown on each occasion was seen as being on death throes. Only a few
survived it.

The Buhari/Idiagbon military regime which took over from NPN-controlled Federal
Government never saw anything good in NPN and as such did not appoint any NPN
leader into government. But successive military administration needed the
popularity, strategy and clout of Dr Ogbemudia and a few other celebrities to
enhance their legitimacy and consolidate their supremacy. Hence Ogbemudia
became labour minister, chairman, Nigerian Railways Corporation, etc, after his
second overthrow as Governor.
How many great men are able to so sustain their relevance in public life? Only few men
who are able to excel in service to mankind early enough in life do become so
dependable and indispensable at all times so much that whenever hope seems lost
society resort to them as spring of hope.
Yet it is surprising to see how humble this legend is!

As a journalist, I encountered Dr Ogbemudia in the ‘80s and ‘90s but not on a very
familiar note. But since 2008, political events have connected us some how. In
the past four years that I have become close to him, I can attest to parts of
the content of his character as a father and leader that have impressed me most.
His ability to read peoples’ mind through their utterances, countenances and actions is
unique. His love of and rapport with his grand children, sons/daughters in-law
is a challenge to many grand parents. Once Dr Ogbemudia trusts you, he can
admit you to his family folds, even to the inner-most part of his mansion.
He writes so well that whoever is saddled with the task of writing for him must strive hard
in logic, facts, grammar and style otherwise he will have his write-up
re-written by Dr Ogbemudia in the process of vetting.

A patriot and father- of-all that he is, Dr Ogbemudia is not blinded by partisan politics.
In the build-up to the last July 14 governorship election in Edo State, Dr
Ogbemudia could not disown PDP, his party. But realistically, he asked quite often: “how can I convince my people not to vote for a man who has constructed their roads so well, even my own road, Iheya,
which I could not do before we were overthrown? It is difficult for me to tell people
not to vote for Adams Oshomhole who has performed so great”. That is Ogbemudia, the realist!
I have heard some critics say though Dr Ogbemudia is truly a successful public administrator
he is not a good business manager. But how do we expect a leader who spends most of his time and energy solving public problem to have time enough for the selfishness demanded of business management which has to drive for profit all the time, even against noble ethics? Rather, he has to look for profit more
from his investment in public welfare and less from his private business. In return, a good society owes him a duty to care for his family even after he may have passed on.
One sure way to encourage good character and discourage bad ones in a decent society is by
rewarding good and punishing evil.

The celebration of Dr Ogbemudia’s eightieth birthday across Edo and Delta States, both states being a split of the defunct Bendel State whose foundation for both development and unity he built, is an honour well deserved.
Our celebrant has every reason to rejoice not just at his longevity but most importantly, in my opinion, for the grace of God by which he has outlived his man-made trauma, witnessed the obituaries of those who at different times wished him dead and remain more relevant in public life than those who have attempted to relegate him into oblivion.
From the life of Dr Ogbemudia, mankind has much lesson to learn. May God continue to uphold
his family!