THE Deputy Director of Media and Publicity of the Asue/Ogiie Campaign Management Committee, Rev Olu Martins accused the former governor of Edo State, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole of trying to divert the attention of the public from the incompetence of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen Monday Okpebholo using a non existing rice donations and Dangote as being diverted.
But the Media Consultant to the APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua Tuesday said the allegation by Martins was part of their antics to divert attention.
He said the alle-gation of receiving 20 trucks of rice from the federal government and 30,000 bags of rice from the Dangote Foundation by Oshiomhole on national television was false.
Addressing a press conference in Benin City, Martins said a feeding program running in Edo State was initiated by the Edo State Government and implemented by the Christian Association of Nigeria,(CAN)Edo State chapter, Muslim association and other religious bodies and had nothing to do with the allega-tions by Oshiomhole.
He said “Edo people will not be hoodwinked into accepting lies, nor will Edo people be hoodwinked to fight a legitimate government as Obaseki’s name will not be on the ballot, nor Oshiomhole’s name going to be on the ballot, but if they are determined to bring Obaseki to the picture, we will not waste time to bring Oshiomhole to the picture.”
“We challenge the APC candidate to tell Edo people his vision, or manifesto, the man Asue Ighodalo who has a vision for Edo people has been going round to sell his vision and manifesto to Edo people but the APC candidate said he does not need a manifesto, that is a way to run away from being held responsible.”
On the rice issues, Martins said “Mind you that Mr. President did not mention in his speech of rice going to any of the states, or maybe that could still be in the offing, because if he sent 20 trucks of rice to Edo State, which ministry did it go to? It could have gone through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affair and because it is Government, there will be a process, somebody should deliver it to somebody in Edo State and somebody should sign.
“There should be an acknowledgement letter signed by those who received it. You can’t just go and deliver to the Edo State Government. There is a Commissioner for Agriculture and the Commissioner has said that he is yet to see a pickup of rice not to talk about 20 trucks.
Also speaking, a member of the media team, Christopher Ojeikere said the facts were very clear which is that Edo State Government has a feeding program sponsored by the Edo State Government.
“The fact is that the Edo State Government has a feeding program being implemented by CAN and other religious bodies. The fact is that that body was set up three months ago. The first 1 billion naira released for the program ran very successfully, before the last trench of 1 billion released now. Every other story about rice coming from anywhere is pure speculation.”
Afegbua in a statement to Vanguard yesterday said “We are familiar with their antics and ostentatious showmanship. We know their theatrics and political “azonto” dance to hoodwink the ever vigilant and conscientized Edo people. Tell them to stop playing politics with palliatives. Governor Obaseki has fa!led woefully. Nothing on ground to justify the huge allocations from Abuja. Travel round Edo, you will weep for Edo people. Instead of them to h!de their heads in shame, they are shamelessly still mustering ere.ction to profess their manliness.
“The Federal Government allocated 20 trucks to each state of the Federation. Most of the states have already indicated receipt of their own and done the proper distribution, it is only Governor Obaseki’s Edo that would tell you something different. I raised alarm about a week ago that they were h!ding rice in Emando area of Ekpoma.
“It was captured in an amateur video and exposed. During the pr0test, Edo citizens discovered h!dden rice in the home of PDP chieftains and the pr0testers did justice to the items. Governor Obaseki is an economic saboteur and predator, who have continued to plunder our opportunities. Instead of hiding their heads in shame for hoarding what rightly belongs to the people of the state, they are trying to twist the narratives. Isn’t that ridiculous? Where are our 20 trucks of rice given by the Federal Government?”
Peoplesmind
