The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, yesterday warned ex-governors of Edo State, who held offices before Gov Oshiomhole to return allegedly looted funds during their tenures or risk doom. Though the revered monarch did not name the exgovernors, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Prof. Osunbor have been the only elected governors of the state before Oshiomhole. Igbinedion was convicted by a Federal High Court in Enugu in 2008 and ordered to refund N500 million to the state government and forfeit three properties.
His younger brother, Michael; an associate, Patrick Eboigbodin and four companies: Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited are facing trial at a Federal High Court sitting in Benin over a N25 billion scam involving Edo State Government funds. Osunbor was ousted in 2008 by the Court of Appeal, Benin, which declared Oshiomhole as the winner of the 2007 governorship election.
The monarch spoke during the official commissioning of the dualised six-lane Benin airport road; the newly constructed Imaguero College buildings; and Ayogwiri-Apana-Igodor- Okpekpe Road. Also yesterday, Governor Adams Oshiomhole stirred the hornet’s nest in the camps of major presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress as he declared former head of state, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as the choice of Edo people for the 2015 elections.
The Benin monarch, who spoke through the head of the witches and wizards in the ancient kingdom and Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, also warned that unless the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party pay reparation to the state and its people for the over 16 years of the plundering of their resources, they would never see the light of the day in their actions. He also cautioned politicians against overheating the polity. “It is the wish of Omo N’Oba and advice that politicians should not overheat the polity.
They should play the game without bitterness. What matters is the counting of the ballot box. That day you will see us; fighting no, no need for fighting anybody. Let us go to the ballot box and I can assure you that the people of Edo State will not be found wanting.
“The Oba has asked me to express his gratitude to the governor of this state for the development he has brought to bear on our society. Before the advent of Oshiomhole’s administration, Benin City was like a town in the 16th century; we had no light (power), no road, no water, no modern amenities. “Successive governments of the PDP since 1999 came and plundered our resources.
We had governors here who would only visit Benin on the day of federal allocation; immediately the allocation was got the next day, he vamoosed either to Europe or South America or the Middle East. Consequently, Benin City became more ancient than what it ordinarily is.
But Oshiomhole came, the Omo N’Oba recognised that this man is capable of doing something and some of us recognised that he would do something. He have him all the necessary moral support and political support. “Today, I am proud to say that this will be a smile and I am sure that every Benin man, not people living in Benin City will also say that this city is theirs. Oshiomhole has done something that no other governor in Nigeria has done.
He started from the scratch. If he had met something this (new Airport Road) when he came, by now we would have invited people from Paris to come and compete with us. “But he met nothing and all the funds that were accruing to this state were siphoned and carried away to other lands.
They went to build supermarkets, hospitals, industries in South Africa, Dubai and other places with our money. I have said it before and I want to repeat here now that unless they pay us back; unless they pay reparation for the plunder of this place, they will never see light,” he stated.
Speaking for himself, Edebiri said “I live on this street (Airport Road); if you were coming to my place our August visitors three or four years back at this time of the year, we would have to raise a speed boat for you to be able to access my house. That was the situation everywhere along this road. But when he (Oshiomhole) came, as a man of vision, he thrust this road as the flagship of his developmental efforts and today we on the streets are all enjoying Oshiomhole’s benevolence.
“We are not active politicians but we are not blind to good things. We see good things; we appreciate good things and we will continue to appreciate Oshiomhole even after many years of his administration. “I want to assure the visitors that the next election; this is my own personal statement and not the Oba’s, in the 2015 elections, the people of Edo South Senatorial District, the people of Edo State are going to vote for Oshiomhole.
In 2016 which is the gubernatorial election year, we are going to vote for Oshiomhole’s party and I am pretty certain in my mind that many generations from now will continue to vote for Oshiomhole whichever party he chooses to belong.” Also speaking, Buhari lauded the support which the Oba and his subjects had extended to Oshiomhole’s administration.
He commended the governor for making infrastructural development the main plank of his government. In his remarks, Oshiomhole said the 7.2 kilometre Airport Road represents courage and vision to his government and people of the state. He said “We are unanimous that the only man who fits the requirement to commission this road is Buhari.”
Among other APC leaders at the event were Edo State Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu; members of the State Executive Council and state house of assembly; a former Communications Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh; ex-Information Minister, Prince Tony Momoh; former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; traditional rulers; various support groups and members of the ruling party in the state.
Source: New Telegraph
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