… Allegations Not Weighty – Edo Govt.
By Lucky Isibor
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youths in Edo State, Monday, July 16, 2018 accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of Neglect, warning that if care is not taking, what happened to Kayode Fayemi in 2014 will happen to him.
The youths under the umbrella of “Aggrieved Edo APC Youths”, said all the promises made by Obaseki during his governorship campaign have not been fulfilled, rather those who did not know how the election was won were the ones being empowered.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing held at the NUJ Press Centre, Benin City, Spokesman of the “Aggrieved Youths”, which cut across the 18 local Government Areas of the state, Mr. Tony Kabaka Adun, however, attributed their present predicament to Adams Oshiomhole who persuaded them to accept Obaseki, an unknown person among other aspirants.
He said if not for the intervention of Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin who on his own, put certain things in place, like the abolishing of Community Development Association (CDA), there would have been much killings in the state because the youths are aggrieved.
According to him, “During the election, Governor Obaseki told us that if elected, he is not going to take the jobs we are doing but will add to it. But today, we are seeing a different thing. Close to two years since he came, it has been hunger and starvation.
“Before the CDA was disbanded, the Oba told him to engage those who are being dislodged as security men to serve in the Neighbourhood Watch as well as the agricultural sector.
“But the only thing he has done is intimidation, harassment, sending people to prison without prosecution. He has taken the former youth leader, Osakpamwan Eriyo; the former Edo Central Senatorial Lead, Chief Francis Inegbeneki; and others”.
“He has retired notable politicians in the state and all those who helped him to climb, and brought in foreigners to work with him. There is no longer local content but foreigners who did not know how we struggled to give him victory”.
Also speaking, another APC youth leader, Odoligie Edebiri, said no party can afford to go into election with a divided house, advising that people should be carried along.
He said: “The only way forward is for the governor to change otherwise he will be on his own.
When contacted for reaction, the Special Adviser, Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said it is wrong for the aggrieved youths to speak for politicians. Such allegations does not carry any weight.
On the allegation that Obaseki neglected those who worked for his victory for those on Lagos, Osagie said those who were engaged are citizens of Edo and were so engaged because of their competence.
“Contrary to their allegations, Obaseki enjoy the goodwill of the ordinary Edo person. He has enhanced law and order, and so the people are happy that there is now a departure from the old order where a few seized the state for their personal gain”, he stated.
Una never see anytin