On a day that he was late to the airport and missed his flight, Senator Adams Oshiomhole suddenly remembered to pick up his garb as erstwhile Labor Leader Number 1 and defender of the oppressed.
He presents his shameful conduct and poor judgement during a recent faceoff with Air Peace as a battle in defence of downtrodden passengers who were being extorted by airline ticketing officials. How convenient! How self-righteous!
For over 10 years now, Mr. Oshiomhole has served in several capacities of public office. Nigerians cannot readily remember even one instance when he genuinely fought for the oppressed or the overall public good.
He served eight years as Governor of Edo State. It ended in bitterness and disgrace. He served as APC Chairman during which he superintended over some of the most blatant and heinous electoral frauds in Nigerian history.
He currently serves as Senator of the Federal Republic in a Senate better known as a bastion of self aggrandizement and rubber-stamp of executive rascality.
No one today can remember even one instance when Mr. Oshiomhole’s voice was heard (with consistency) on the floor of the Senate on the side of Nigeria’s suffering, oppressed and marginalized people. Not even in the face of advancing tyranny.
So, Sen Oshiomhole can save his breath. He can stuff his rhetoric. No one is fooled. Nigerians may be slow in uprising but they are not stupid.
This is not to deny that there may have been infractions by Air Peace officials, especially ground operations staff, which need to be thoroughly investigated and possibly punished. Indeed, every traveller who uses Nigerian airlines knows they can be obnoxious sometimes. But surely, Oshiomhole is not our knight in shining armor. We know better.
In hindsight, Mr. Oshiomhole’s career report card would read something like this: “He started out as a fiery and respected voice of the people. He used his position as labor leader to climb into office as Governor. Thereafter, he switched sides and began dinning with the worst of the people’s oppressors.”
On the list of those who sold out; who betrayed their countrymen for a plate of porridge, Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s name is near the very top. We will not forget. The records will not be distorted.
