The Akoko Edo Renaissance Forum has expressed gratitude to Governor Godwin Obaseki for his support and inclusion of people from their local council in his administration.
The Forum’s National President, Mike Babatunde, and Secretary, Solomon Ajakaye, commended Obaseki for appointing a Deputy Governor and two commissioners from the Akoko Edo Local Government Area.
In a statement, the Forum criticized the Akoko Edo Youth for Progressive Change (AEYPC) for their negative remarks about the governor’s decision to dismiss the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ambrose Alli, due to incompetence.
“We read with utmost disdain and disappointment the very embarrassing statement by some crisis profiteers under the guise of a fly-by-night group, the Akoko Edo Youth for Progressive Change (AEYPC), where they goofed while lampooning Governor Godwin Obaseki for sacking the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ambrose Alli, for his incompetence and dereliction of duty.
“The group in an attempt to justify their ill-fated propaganda in the disjointed pressers, also cast aspersion on the governor for identifying the exclusion of youths and minorities from positions of authority and picking a 37-year-old Marvellous Omobayo Godwins from our local council, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (LGA), the oldest and one of the most sidelined, to be Deputy Governor.
“This is not only appalling and most embarrassing but negates the core values of our people. We condemn this statement in the strongest terms and dissociate the youth and entire people of Akoko-Edo from this dance of shame and ignominy.”
The Forum emphasized the significant benefits their community has received under Obaseki’s administration, noting historical appointments such as Taiwo Akerele as the first Chief of Staff from Edo North since Nigeria’s return to democracy. They also pointed out the current officials from their area, including the Deputy Governor and the commissioners for Social Development and Gender Issues and Health.
Apologizing for Dr. Alli’s incompetence, the Forum reassured the governor of their ongoing support and urged their community to cease any attacks against him. They clarified that Dr. Alli’s appointment was a personal decision by the governor, not a community nomination.
The Forum warned against further criticism that could prompt the governor to reveal more damaging information about Dr. Alli and concluded by quoting Taiwo Akerele, who praised Obaseki for his recognition of minorities. They stressed the importance of acknowledging the governor’s positive contributions to the state and urged their community to support decisions that advance progress, despite any challenges.