We are perplexed to learn of the quite laughable and incredibly ridiculous statement by the All Progressives Congress, in which they attempted to misinform and mislead the public about the fiscal management of Edo State under the sterling leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In his ramblings, the writer, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, who signed off as the Director of All Progressives Congress (APC) New Media Directorate for the 2024 Edo Governorship Campaign Council, displayed crass ignorance of the workings and operations of government. For the APC, brick-and-mortar projects are the beginning and end of all things in governance and development.
This latest tirade and farcical attempt at character assassination is not only devoid of facts but also reveals a disturbing pattern of deliberate resort to lies, propaganda, mistruths and misinformation by the APC to confuse the good people of Edo State.
It further attests to the fact that the APC is bereft of any substantial criticism of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s transformative leadership and has resorted to fabricating outlandish claims to curry sympathy and sway voters for their handicapped candidate, Monday Okpebholo, who cannot speak coherently to save himself. In their frustration, the party has now fallen back to the trick of campaigning with lies and falsehood.
Such grey and divisive tactics are not only reprehensible and most condemnable but also an insult to the intelligence of Edo citizens who have witnessed first-hand the remarkable progress our State has made under the current administration of Governor Obaseki.
It is no news that the governor has brought the best of probity, accountability and transparency in fiscal policy management of the State, efficiently and judiciously utilizing the state’s resources to pursue impactful and life-changing projects, placing Edo State on the path of sustainable development and growth.
All thanks Governor Obaseki, today, Edo is no longer on the list of the ten most indebted states in Nigeria according to the available data from the Debt Management Office (DMO). He has continued to deploy his astute financial management skills in the administration of the State. The years of borrowing to fund politics and politicians are over in Edo. The governor has pursued a holistic approach to ensure the inflow of investments and boost internally generated revenue.
Edo State, under his watch, signed the Public Financial Management and Fiscal Responsibility Law and has subscribed fully to the Open Governance Partnership Principles, ensuring accountability and transparency in governance. Today, all revenues which accrue to the State are efficiently deployed to pursue projects and programmes to raise the standard of living of citizens, create employment opportunities, and boost Edo State’s fiscal position.
No wonder Edo recently clinched two awards from the World Bank: the Public Expenditure Efficiency, and Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Awards.
Or is the APC and their hirelings unaware that Governor Obaseki was also honoured with the Fiscal Policy and Transparency Star of the Year award by a multimedia news organisation with offices in the United Kingdom and Nigeria?
It is on public record that the World Bank and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) adjudged Edo under Obaseki’s leadership as the leading State in Nigeria in terms of the e-procurement implementation strategy, following the State’s transparent and accountable procurement system, and countries like Gambia, Liberia and over 20 Nigerian States have visited Edo to understudy the outstanding procurement model.
Maybe they should also be informed that Edo State currently ranks among the top 3 States on the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Accountability Index. The governor was also recently recognized by Rotary and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with awards for his government’s very accountable, transparent, and resourceful in management of human and State resources. The list of honours and recognitions is endless and the Governor will stand tall and be celebrated when he finally leaves office in 2024.
Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah and his paymasters in APC are obviously moping like crybabies because they have been deprived of feasting on the people’s matrimony.
But Edo people know better and are determined to keep them as far away as possible from the coffers of the State. This is because their mute and incoherent candidate has promised repeatedly that should he succeed and get elected, he would hand over the state’s purse to his godfathers, who have been in penury since Governor Obaseki took office and kept them at bay.
Come September 21, Edo people will come out in their numbers to speak in one voice with their votes and the APC will become reminded, once again, that elections are not won by lies and alternative facts!
Legbedion, a public affairs analyst, writes from Benin City