…Reminds them of how their State Chairman, Deputy were kidnapped under Obaseki
By Newsmata
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Hon. Charles Idahosa has berated the leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their allegation of worsening insecurity in the state, and warned them to shut up if they have nothing to say.
Recalling how the State PDP chairman and his deputy were both victims of kidnap under Ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki, Idahosa commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for the decisive steps so far taken to combat crime in the state.
Giving an assessment of the performance of the governor in an interaction with journalists at his residence in Benin City amid the alarm raised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the security situation in the state, Idahosa cautioned leaders of the party against peddling falsehood and misleading the people.
Acknowledging the governor’s developmental strides in the last few months in office especially the action taken in destroying houses linked to kidnappers, Idahosa upbraided the PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Anthony Azeigbemi and his Deputy, Harrison Omagbon, for feeding the unsuspecting public with wrong and fake information that Edo State is the headquarters of kidnappers.
He reminded Aziegbemi and Omagbon of when they were both kidnapped during the last administration and yet they still scored the then governor high.
According to Idahosa, “Senator Monday Okpebholo as a governor has done so well for Edo people and has surprised everybody. He is working and we are seeing it.
“I have made governors in this state. When they are coming, they beg to win election but after winning they become something else and Obaseki is one of such. Obaseki was also here to beg but he turned around and messed up and today he is a fugitive.
“If you see the pace that the governor has taken, you will know he is a man that has a vision and knows what he wants to do and he is doing it well, and I know he will deliver at the end of the day”.
Idahosa told those speaking for the opposition party to remain silent if they have nothing to say rather than tell lies to the people.
“If you are in opposition and don’t have anything to say, just remain quiet rather than opening your mouth to speak.
“Anthony Azeigbemi and his Deputy, Harrison Omagbon, both said Edo is the headquarters of kidnappers but they forgot so soon that they were both kidnapped during the Obaseki-led administration where they played prominent roles. They are talking now just because they want to talk. They failed to scrutinise what they want to say.
“Aziegbemi, during Obaseki’s administration, left the governor’s house after a meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki and was kidnapped on his way home and he spent 10 days in captivity before he regained his freedom.
“His deputy, Harrison Omagbon who sat by him, was also kidnapped at his house in broad day light and you are saying Okpebholo’s administration can’t tackle security. Obaseki’s administration did a lot of damage to Edo people and Gov Okpebholo is battling to put the situation under control”.
On his expectation from the election petition tribunal, Hon. Idahosa said as far as he was concerned, there is no case because law is not a rocket science. He said he was predicting victory for APC as the PDP could not present their case or prove it well.
He said, “Oshiomole won in court because we were able to prove our case beyond every reasonable doubt and he became governor of Edo State but the PDP so far has not been able to do that and the case is dead on arrival.
“During the Obaseki-led administration, I resigned within two months of the administration, telling party leaders that we have made a mistake for electing Obaseki who will deal with all of us and he actually did.
“The governor is doing a lot in the state as we are going to see the first flyover in Benin City, Edo State as he is working silently without making noise. A man renovated Secretariat at Sapele Road built by late Samuel Ogbemudia and a whole lot of noise was made from it.
“Gov Okpebholo is opening up the state, constructing roads across the state just like Ambrose Alli did when he was the governor of Edo State. He has revived Edo Line and working the talk and rescuing Edo.
“Demolishing buildings belonging to kidnappers or linked to kidnapping activities is a very good step as it will serve as a very big lesson to other criminals in the state.
“The last administration led by Godwin Obaseki was busy bulldozing opponents’ houses, hotels, rather than that of the criminals. Now, it has become mandatory to scrutinise any tenant before taking him or her into your house or else you may lose your property.
“During Obaseki’s administration, he served me papers that I am owing so much for my house because he was sure that he will win and preparing to deal with me but as God would have it, his party lost.
“I am happy about the governor; he has started very well and he is a man that knows what he is doing as a leader. Obaseki led the 67 Enogie astray and they have been trying to reach him but his line is no longer going through. My Enogie is among them”.