The South-South zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a challenge to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, urging him to provide a comprehensive list of his achievements during his tenure as the state’s leader. The party contends that Obaseki’s record in office over the past seven years has been lackluster, asserting that he has failed to match the developmental accomplishments of his predecessor, former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Adams Oshiomhole.
Blessing Agbomhere, the South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary of the APC, asserted that Obaseki has been attempting to divert attention from his own alleged incompetence by blaming President Tinubu’s new administration for the poor state of roads in Edo state. Obaseki previously attributed the dilapidated condition of federal roads and the resulting hardships faced by citizens to the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government.
Agbomhere’s statement, released on Tuesday, accused Obaseki of shifting the blame for his own shortcomings onto the fledgling administration of President Tinubu, which recently took office with a focus on eliminating the burdensome fuel subsidy. The statement highlighted the financial challenges faced by Edo state during Obaseki’s tenure, noting a drop in monthly revenue due to global economic crises.
The statement read in part: “Despite taking over office in 2008 when the state’s monthly revenue dropped to N1.6 billion due to the world economic crisis while IGR was N30 million bringing the total to N1.9 billion.”
The APC’s challenge also urged Governor Obaseki to provide tangible evidence of his achievements rather than relying on promises and Memoranda of Understanding with questionable entities. The party criticized Obaseki for allegedly signing such agreements without delivering substantive results.
“We therefore challenge the incumbent Governor Obaseki to show to the world what impact he has been able to make rather than the usual promises of Memorandum of Understanding which his government has been notorious for signing with fictitious entities with nothing to show for it.
The statement concluded by calling on Governor Obaseki to cease inciting the people of Edo state against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and assured the public that the transformative process would begin soon with the upcoming screening and swearing-in of cabinet ministers.
“We call on Governor Obaseki to desist from inciting the people of Edo State against the administration of President Bola Tinubu. We urge Nigerians to be patient as the process of transformation will soon kick off with the screening and swearing in of cabinet ministers which is expected in the days ahead.”
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the clash between Governor Obaseki and the APC South-South zone underscores the ongoing debates surrounding governance, achievements, and accountability within Nigeria’s political arena.