SAN FRANCISCO, January 30, (THEWILL) – The Edo State Government has berated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over plots to disrupt peace and safety in the state, noting that his schemes have taken a dangerous dimension.
In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the embattled National Chairman and his co-dissidents in the proscribed Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) are hellbent on causing a breakdown of law and order in the state.
Obaseki Inaugurates Commission Of Inquiry Into Edo Specialist Hospital Contracts
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the construction of the Edo Specialist Hospital and supply of equipment for the hospital.
Speaking at the inauguration in Government House, in Benin City, the governor said the investigation was not to witch-hunt anybody but to present the truth to Edo people so they can know how their taxes were used in building the hospital.
He said the state government carefully considered all the complaints filed against the setting up of the hospital, hence the constitution of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
“As a government, we feel that it will be irresponsible for us to ignore serious allegations raised concerning the hospital. The taxpayers need to know what transpired. I believe the authorities in the country including the President, who was invited to commission the hospital, needs to know the facts and details about the hospital,” he said.
According to the governor, the terms of reference for the commission include inquiry into all processes regarding the conceptualisation, design, construction and equipping of the hospital.
Others, he said, include “review of all processes related to how tenders for award of contracts were done, the execution and payments of all contracts. The commission would also make recommendations to government so that disciplinary action would be taken against anyone found culpable.”
Chairman of the Commission, Justice James Oyomire, said the commission would carry out the assignment effectively and in line with the stipulated terms of reference.
Other members of the commission are Prof. Emmanuel Obaseiki-Ebor; Mrs Elizabeth Uwaifo; Hilary Igemoh Esq and Anthony Izevbekhae Esq.
Osagie restated that the Edo State Government would spare nothing under the laws of the land in dealing decisively with the merchants of violence.
The statement reads, “The complaint of an alleged attack by one of the leaders of the proscribed Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), Mr. Henry Idahagbon, is the latest step in the plot by the suspended National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to disrupt peace and safety in Edo State.”
“Today’s incident is another proof that members of the amorphous group are at war with themselves and the people of Edo State. The blame rightly should be dropped at the feet of the embattled National Chairman, who continues to violate orders and promote violence in the state.
He continued, “Comrade Oshiomhole has disobeyed orders by the Nigeria Police Force at the Federal and State levels not to hold public gatherings against the directives of the state government.
“His actions have led to the hospitalization of tens of Edo people and the destruction of property valued in millions of naira. From Edo South to Edo North, he has traded in violence and left many in anguish in the wake of his strong-headed approach to entrenching himself as a godfather in the state. Even with this, he has not relented, but rather continues to fan the embers of division, acting as if he is above the law in the state.”
“This incident is the latest in Comrade Oshiomhole’s schemes, as his lieutenants continue to perpetuate violence with his overt and covert support, which will not be tolerated by the Edo State Government,” Osagie stressed.
While calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Presidency to call Comrade Oshiomhole to order, Osagie assured Edo people that government would continue to resist attempts to fracture the peace and safety in the State.
“His ambition to become a godfather in Edo State is not worth the safety of the 4 million people in our state,” he reiterated.
