Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be held responsible for the violence that engulfed the state due the naira crunch and the outright rejection of the old notes by the state branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria and not the immediate past national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.
The party said this through its Publicity Secretary, Bar. Peter Uwadiae while reacting to the statement credited to the state government accusing the immediate past governor of the state, Oshiomhole of inciting the citizens of the state to violence.
The party said instead of the governor to take the blame for not rising to the occasion by nipping the problem in the bud when the citizens were queuing up on a daily basis at the banks for their own hard earned money but went on to blame it on Oshiomhole.
“It was therefore a surprise for the same administration to hold the former national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole responsible for the attendant negative reactions from the people: victims of the unpleasant situation, calling for his arrest by the police,” it said.
The APC noted that while Edo people were commending the courage of the State Governors who “took the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Court challenging its deadline for the use of the old naira notes;
“It was disgusting and anti people for them to hear that instead of the Governor to fight for their welfare, the Edo State Government has filed a motion for joinder at the Supreme Court as Respondents; meaning the State is on the side of the CBN to emasculate and further punish the people.
It was this offensive action of the State Government that increased the “already tensed atmosphere in the State, and remotely led to the protestations in the State,” it said.
“The secondary and effectual reason behind the protestations was the senseless use of arms by the security agents, on those who were peacefully agitating for their rights, leading to the unwarranted killings of many innocent citizens.
“The social media is awash with the pictorial evidence of the shooting and killings.”
The APC wondered; how can any sane man in the circumstance above, “attribute the ugly, barbaric and unorthodox action to Oshiomhole: such a refined gentleman who has built a strong and virile legacies across the length and breath of the State albeit the nation?
“It is only senseless, baseless, undemocratic, puerile, uninformed, uncultured, flimsy and most unfortunate for a Government whose responsibility it is; to cater for the well-being of its people to now appropriate and blame its failure on a man whose unprecedented image looms large in the corridors of labour movement, Government and civil society movement.
“Edo people are now well informed and are encouraged to appreciate the negative consequences of the abandonment of Government responsibility by Obaseki.
“Hence the Obaseki’s led People Democratic Party (PDP) Government should bury its head in shame, for its failure to provide the security of lives and property which is her primary responsibility.”
The state chapter of APC added, “the uncoordinated and repulsive press statement by Obaseki’s aides further exposes their uninformed and naive dispositions towards governance.”
“Consequently Edo people should use their Personal Voters’ Cards (PVC) to vote out the PDP in the State as to restore the beautiful legacies Oshiomhole left behind, it urged.
“We also plead with the angry Edo people to remain calm, as the Supreme Court which is the last hope of the common man shall adequately address these anti people policies of the CBN, and openly supported by the cabal including the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.”
The Party however expressed its sincere sympathy for the banks vandalized by the angry mobs; also the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate confusion.
It prayed God should grant the souls of the dead mercy to rest in His bosom, and the families; the strength to bear the irreparable loss.