By Alltimepost.com
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]pposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State of Nigeria has advised the Obaseki Administration to look in the direction of former Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, whom it alleged was allocated a portion of the land belonging to the state-owned Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS), Benin City.The party gave the advice in a press statement issued in Benin City during the week, while reacting to Edo Government’s land grab insinuations against the state PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih.
In the Statement, PDP State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare said it was public knowledge that Chief Orbih has never been a beneficiary of any Edo state government land sharing or allocation bazaar.He debunked the insinuations credited to the Edo state government that the residence of the party’s Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih was built on the land belonging to the AGGS.
“Chief Orbih is a law-abiding citizen who will not build his residence on public land. His residence is separated by a road, Aiyanyo Aigbekean Road and common knowledge it’s not part of Anglican Girls Grammar School land.
“If AGGS land is to be investigated we will like to advise the Edo state government to begin with the portion of the school land which was allocated to Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole who got the a certificate of occupancy for the plot and falsely placed the picture his former aide, the late Greg Haruna as the beneficiary.”
Mr. Nehikhare said when the former governor was told and shown evidence that the Land allocated to him was that of AGGS he promised and failed to return it to the School like several other good Nigerians who were also given plots of the school land.
“Many other beneficiaries of the school land rejected the land when they learnt that it was AGGS land but there is no evidence anywhere in Edo state that the former governor kept his word that he will return the land, knowing fully well that the plot belongs to AGGS.”
According to the PDP spokesman, the Edo state government will do well to investigate the series of public lands belonging to individuals, schools and communities, which he alleged former governor Oshiomhole illegally acquired before and while he was in office.
He listed some of these lands to include the plot of land at Okoro-Otun Avenue, which he alleged the former governor illegally and forcefully acquired from a Benin prince who was a former chairman of Oredo Local government council.
Others, he alleged are: the former governor’s forceful acquisition of community lands belonging to Afowa and Elele in Etsako West local government area of the state which is now a subject of litigation.
Nehikhare also alleged that the former governor illegally acquired and shared large portions of the Ogba Zoo in Benin City with his cronies and in the process reduced the recreational facility which is internationally acclaimed as the home of some rare animals to a mere kennel.
Meanwhile Nehikhare has described as fabricated and fallacious the petition which the state government is relying on to make its claims about Chief Orbih’s residence saying it was the government’s reaction to the PDP chairman’s opposition role in the state.
“Chief Orbih recently made startling revelations among others, about how Governor Obaseki appropriated a whopping 10% of the Edo state approved budget for 2018 to his office and the ownership of the Iyamho University.”
He concluded that Chief Orbih has been in the forefront of the protests against the activities of former governors of the state who specialize in the illegal sales of public properties such as the attempted sale of the Edo House in Lagos by former governor Oshiomhole acting on the advice of Godwin Obaseki who was the head of Economic team.
“It is mere blackmail that will not stand the litmus test. Chief Orbih will not be intimidated and will continue to expose the ills of the APC and Edo state government. Edo people’s welfare is his driving spirit!” Mr. Nehikhare Concluded.
