Edo: PDP describes Oshiomhole’s performance as abysmal

The Peoples Democratic Party Edo State chapter has described the performance of the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole as terrible, since its inception in 2008.

Chief Dan Orbih, the State Chairman of the party, who spoke in Benin during a press briefing on Oshiomhole’s seven years in office, noted that contrary to the testimonies of the All Progressives Congress and its supporters, the governor had failed to live up to the aspirations of the people in different sectors.

Punch reported that Orbih accused the state government of “siphoning money” in the name of security votes and other unnecessary projects, rather than channeling such funds into road construction and the revitalization of ailing industries, which he said were capable of boosting the state’s economy.

He, therefore, urged the ‎government to return the said amount to the state’s coffers.

He said, “You cannot compare what this governor is doing with security funds with any other government anywhere in Nigeria. Every month, he takes N500 million to N700 million‎ of tax payers’ money, in his own words, ‘to address urgent security challenges’.

“But you will agree with me that Edo State, like he (governor) used to say, ‘is safe.’ We do not have Boko Haram here, so we do not really know what he is doing with that amount.‎ If this money is returned to the coffers of government, I can assure you that the governor will be in a position to fix the roads that are in very bad condition.”

‎He alleged that records available to the party revealed that while the sum of “N928 billion” accrued to the state in the past seven years “only N268 billion” could be accounted for,” through  project execution and remuneration of Edo civil servants.

Orbih also said the party wonders why the governor accused one of his predecessors, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, of mismanaging funds, when the current administration was yet to show true governance in areas such as youth employment and  sports development, amongst others.

He also alleged plans by the governor to temporarily recruit thousands of youths, as campaign moves for next year’s governorship election.

“I call on the Governor to take full responsibility for his failure in government,” he added.