In 2015, Edo State became a political battleground as Dennis Idahosa, the Commissioner for Investment, Public, and Private Partnership, defected from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). His departure stirred controversy, not just because of the defection itself, but because of the serious allegations surrounding it.
Idahosa, who had only assumed office as a commissioner four months prior, cited the Edo State governor’s alleged disrespect for President Goodluck Jonathan as his primary reason for leaving the APC. He claimed that the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, consistently disrespected and insulted the president, a behaviour he could no longer condone. “As a youth, I stand to support President Jonathan for the presidency,” Idahosa declared when joining the PDP.
However, the story was more complex than mere political disagreement. The Edo State government, through the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Louis Odion, revealed that Idahosa’s departure may have been influenced by other pressing factors. Odion issued a statement alleging that Idahosa had engaged in fraudulent dealings, tricking unsuspecting victims—many from overseas—out of large sums of money.
According to Odion, the state government had received several petitions over the past two months accusing Idahosa of fraudulent activities. These allegations prompted the government to set up an administrative panel to investigate the claims. The panel’s investigations, described as “forensic,” led to startling findings that cast doubt on Idahosa’s integrity.
Odion claimed that Idahosa became aware that the panel was close to formally summoning him to answer the charges. In light of this, Odion suggested that Idahosa’s defection to the PDP might have been a preemptive move to shield himself from the repercussions of the panel’s findings. While Odion refrained from directly accusing Idahosa of seeking protection from external forces, he implied that the timing of the defection was suspicious.
Despite these accusations, Idahosa remained steadfast in his decision, stating that his defection was motivated by his desire to support the re-election of President Jonathan. He also accused Oshiomhole of disrespecting elders and other political leaders, further justifying his departure from the APC.
Odion, in his statement, urged Idahosa to address the allegations publicly, asserting that evading the charges would not prevent justice from being served. “In the name of decency and justice, and for the sake of our country’s international image, we encourage Mr Idahosa to come out in the open and answer the sundry allegations of 419 levelled against him,” Odion said, referencing the infamous section of Nigeria’s criminal code concerning fraud. He also warned that while Idahosa’s new political affiliations might temporarily delay justice, the law would ultimately prevail.
This development marked yet another chapter in the increasingly fraught political atmosphere of Edo State. With Idahosa and several other APC leaders in Ovia South West Local Government Area defecting to the PDP, the region’s political dynamics shifted. The reasons behind these defections, whether rooted in ideology, personal grievances, or attempts to escape legal scrutiny, remain a subject of debate.
The unfolding events underscored the intersection of politics and justice in Nigeria, where defections are often seen through the lens of political survival rather than pure ideology. As Edo State braced for the consequences of these shifts, the saga of Dennis Idahosa serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often murky waters of Nigerian politics.
By Osama
