The All Progressives Congress, (APC), has lampooned the PDP administration in Edo led by Governor Godwin Obaseki for marking its 100days in office in neighboring Delta state by commissionsing white elephant projects on behalf of another State governor, saying Governor Obaseki has lost it as far as governance in Edo is concerned .
The party through its Chairman Caretaker Committee, Col Dr. David Imuse rtd., argued that its position was hinged on what it described as “Governor Obaseki’s manifest failure due to the infighting in his party, to constitute the State Executive Council and conduct the election of Local government chairmen and councillors in the State, 100days after he took the oath of office as Governor”.
In a statement by its Assistant State Publicity Secretary, Victor Ofure Osehobo, Col Imuse said that Edo people are very disappointed that the Governor will abandon his duty post in Benin City, where there are more pressing issues bordering on the safety, security and welfare of Edo people and take to gallivanting to Asaba, the Delta State capital, all in the guise of commissioning projects executed ostensibly by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The Edo APC Chairman however said that the governor’s attitude goes a long way to confirm that he has mortgaged the fortunes of Edo State for the benefit of those who are widely speculated to be his many sponsors and financiers during his re-election.
Col Imuse noted that Edo state had descended to a level where there is no government because Governor Obaseki has bluntly chosen not to appoint a Cabinet to assist in manning the various Ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), though the Constitution, which he took an oath, 100 days ago, to uphold and defend, requires him to do so.
According to Col Imuse, “It is now obvious that contrary to the erroneous impression recently created by the PDP that Governor Obaseki was being detracted from governance by his critics, many of who are disenchanted Edo people, and that he needs the support of all in the state, it is the Governor who has actually lost focus”.
The APC Chairman said, “Edo people will not keep quiet; because they do don’t want the governor to remain on the track of distraction; we want Governor Obaseki to stay in Edo state and focus on governing Edo state, and give the Edo people the dividends of democracy across the 18 local government areas, which he appears to have forgotten, is the main reason for his re-election.
Col Imuse added that it should interest the PDP and Mr Obaseki that by pretending to forget that the Governor has clocked 100 days in office as a Sole Administrator, and gone ahead on a wild goose chase to a neighboring state, he has declared the PDP government in Edo state which he heads to be ineffective and incapable of improving the lives of Edo people, going forward.
The Edo APC chairman charged Governor Obaseki to end his administration’s lethargic and inept disposition towards governance in the state, stressing: “Governor Obaseki must as a matter of urgent public importance stand up to the demands of his office now.”