The South-South zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown down the gauntlet, urging Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to substantiate his tenure with a comprehensive list of accomplishments since taking the helm of leadership in the state.
This challenge comes in response to Obaseki’s recent allegations that the Federal Government, under President Tinubu’s nascent administration, is culpable for the deteriorating condition of federal roads within the state. Obaseki, who succeeded former Nigeria Labour Congress President Adams Oshiomhole, is being accused by the APC of evading accountability and attempting to shift blame for his lackluster performance onto the new administration.
Blessing Agbomhere, the South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary of the APC, articulated the party’s stance, asserting that Obaseki has squandered over seven years in office without tangible achievements to showcase. Agbomhere lamented that instead of heralding his own accomplishments, Obaseki has chosen to highlight the developmental strides of his predecessor.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Agbomhere pointed out that Obaseki’s attempt to attribute the state’s woes to President Tinubu’s administration is a convenient way to divert attention from his own alleged incompetence. The statement highlights Obaseki’s tenure’s challenging beginnings in 2008 when the state’s monthly revenue plummeted 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.
“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 read in part.
The APC’s South-South zone called on Obaseki to refrain from inciting discord among the people of Edo State against President Tinubu’s administration. The party also urged Nigerians to exercise patience as the new administration’s transformative initiatives are poised to kick off with the imminent screening and swearing in of cabinet ministers in the coming days. As the political landscape continues to evolve, all eyes remain on Governor Obaseki’s response and the unfolding developments in Edo State.
“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.”