….know when to quit, know when the dog is dead- Richard Templar. Author and management consultant
The illiterate of the 21st century says Alvin Toffler, will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. Similarly, as a communication student, I was told that ‘the only difference between a genius and a fool as I was told lies in the former’s ability to spot the limit in every of his/her endeavors’. READ ALSO:2019 ELECTION AND THE RISK NIGERIANS MUST TAKE
Indeed, reflecting on the above in juxtaposition with the topical political events that unfolded on our geography,-with particular emphasis on the political defection of Mr. Edwin Okoh, the erstwhile Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Ika South Local Government Area of Delta state to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), two striking lessons naturally came flooding.
The first and most radical; the action considering the timing has mirrored him not just as a genius but as a political warlord who knows when, and when not to battle.
Also, like the Biblical Moses, with this development, hard time awaits the already disjointed All Progressives Congress in the state and exodus may be the only credible alternative for its members-the reason for this position is obvious.
As we know, akin to the generality of mankind, Edwin, before taking the part made by another which he has retraced was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Wisdom borne from that experience points to the fact that as a grassroots man, he assisted in building the party from the scratch and notably demonstrated his political sagacity, resourcefulness/ ingenuity as the campaign Director of Nonye Philip’s Campaign Organization in 2007 and was chiefly instrumental for Honourable Nonye Philip’s victory in the Delta State House of Assembly electoral contest in that year.
Aside the above and very strangely also, while on ‘sabbatical’ at the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he rose to the position of Ika South local government chairman of the party until his recent resignation, Mr. Edwin maintained network of followership within the party as well as commanded respect within, and among the vast majority of the PDP faithful.
Although his recent move has been described by few Deltans with critical interest as a pragmatic demonstration of apostasy, the former Ika South APC boss has dismissed such claim.
In his views, remaining in APC and campaigning against the state government that has performed creditably well to the admiration of the watching world was adjudged antithetical to reason and worrying in the estimation of the right-thinking Deltans. He succulently concluded that he acted with malice to none but with charity to, and in the best interest of the Ika nation.
Whatever the true position may be, one thing seems to stand out; Mr. Edwin, without minding what others may say, is among the few politicians with patience to comprehensively study event/challenge before deciding on a solution- an attribute the Peoples Democratic Party in the state will benefit from as they prepare for the 2019 general election.
Finally, as the PDP continues to celebrate his return, his departure from the APC has without any shadow of doubt thrown the party into a deeper-depth of despondency and has further weakened its already asymmetrical structures and viability in the state.
Again, congratulations to Edwin Okoh.
BY JEROME-MARIO UTOMI