Edo State branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reacted to Governor Obaseki’s recent address to protesting workers in the state, describing his stance as not only inciting the people against the Federal government, but treasonable.
It would be recalled that Edo State branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), last Wednesday joined the union’s nation-wide protest against the excruciating pains occasioned by oil subsidy removal, calling on the federal government to fix the nation’s moribund refineries and make them functional to help address the country’s economic woes.
The protesters, led by Comrade Odion Olaye stormed the Government House in the state capital, where they were met by Governor Obaseki who declared total support for their plights.
Governor Obaseki who disclosed while receiving members of the NLC in the state, said his administration will disburse N500 million monthly to poor households in the State as a palliative to cushion the effect of the economic hardship caused by the subsidy removal by the All Progressives Congress APC Federal Government.
The governor maintained that the efforts put in place will reduce the suffering and hardship inflicted on the people as a result of the bad policies of the APC-led federal government.
But the APC, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Col (Dr) David Imuse rtd, and made available to Alltimepost.com at the weekend, said Obaseki’s speech to the aggrieved workers was also irresponsible and out of tune with his position as a public servant.
“This is because inciting unrest or encouraging actions that could undermine the stability of the country from a serving governor goes beyond politics. It is criminal and unacceptable and should not be taken lightly.
“We hereby condemn Governor Obaseki’s promise to allocate a fictitious N500 million monthly from Edo state coffers to the poor, considering Edo’s already heavy indebtedness,” the party said.
Below is full text of the statement:
The attention of the Edo state APC has been drawn to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s shameful stance on the suggested palliatives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal government of Nigeria for the removal of fuel subsidy.
It is particularly contradictory considering that he is actively involved as a member of the National Economic team, headed by the Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, that proposed the idea.
Like many across the state, we see Governor Obaseki’s shift in position regarding the suggested palliatives as not only perplexing but childish.
This because as a member of the National Economic team that initially proposed this idea, one would have expected him to oppose it at the meetings. But being a coward he could not open up at such high level forum because he knows that superior arguments would have pooh-poohed his stance
His current opposing stance therefore raises questions about his motives and commitment to the welfare of the Nigerian people. Such contradictions undermine any modicum of credibility and cast doubt on his ability to make informed and consistent decisions: a plague which has since ravaged and pauperized Edo state under his leadership.
The whole of Governor Obaseki’s address to protesting workers in Edo was inciting the people against the Federal government and even treasonable. The speech was also irresponsible and out of tune with his position as a public servant.
This is because inciting unrest or encouraging actions that could undermine the stability of the country from a serving governor goes beyond politics. It is criminal and unacceptable and should not be taken lightly.
We hereby condemn Governor Obaseki’s promise to allocate a fictitious N500 million monthly from Edo state coffers to the poor, considering Edo’s already heavy indebtedness.
The feasibility and sustainability of such a promise is ludicrous, especially when his track record of mismanaging state resources since 2016 is taken into account. The governor’s ability to effectively utilize public funds and prioritize the needs of Edo people to ensure accountability and transparency has been called to question severally and he has an unenviable record of failure.
It is such failure that awaits him in his decision to court the Labour Party after destabilizing his party, the PDP and raises suspicions about his true intentions. We see this as part of his political maneuvering for personal gain, rather than working in the best interest of Edo state. It will only end in disgrace for him and his followers.
On his call that the Palliatives should go as Local Government Allocations, Edo people know that it is his idea sustaining his looting of local government councils across the State.
His only interest in the local government is driven by personal gain rather than the welfare of the people, as he has been collecting an exorbitant amount of money, approximately #80 million from each of the 18 local governments in Edo, every month. Heeding his suggestion can only perpetuate corruption and hinder the development of the state.
Our conclusion is that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s contradictory stance on the suggested palliatives for the removal of fuel subsidy, along with other questionable ideas and actions, he is canvassing are fake and fraudulent and should be discountenanced.
Signed
Col Dr David Imuse rtd,
Chairman APC Edo State
