From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, kicked against reported plan by Governor Adams Oshiomhole to present a N5 billion supplementary budget to the House of Assembly for consideration, few days to the end of his tenure.
The state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, also dared Governor Oshiomhole to take President Muhammadu Buhari on a facility tour of his private residence to prove that the current anti-corruption war was not selective.
Orbih, who addressed newsmen in Benin yesterday, accused Oshiomhole of hurriedly paying for contracts without due process.
He said it was not the right time for Oshiomhole to plunge the state into indebtedness by the presentation of N5 billion supplementary budget, even as he alleged that the governor wanted to spend the sum for the remaining days of his administration.
The PDP chairman, who also urged visiting President Buhari to ask Oshiomhole the true owners of the Edo University, Iyamho, stated that Buhari would not need any further evidence to show that his anti-corruption crusade is selective if he takes a walk through roads in the state and the private residence of Governor Oshiomhole.
“These are hard times for the people of this state. This is not the time to plunge the state into indebtedness by a man who has less than eight days to go to demand for N5 illion supplementary budget,” Orbih said.
Describing the suspension of the Onojie of Uromi as not only provocative, vindictive but aimed at provoking the peace-loving people of Uromi, Orbih said the action is a political vendetta which has become the hallmark of the Oshiomhole administration.
He said the governor has no power under the laws of the country to suspend the traditional ruler, and therefore, called on him to immediately reverse the suspension order.
“As far as the PDP and its members are concerned, the PDP will continue to recognise him as the Onojie of Uromi. His only offence was that he supported the PDP governorship candidate in the last governorship election. When we reclaim our mandate, we will pay back to him all his entitlement,” Orbih said.
Besides the PDP, the Coalition of Registered Parties (CRPP) in the state, also condemned the suspension of the traditional ruler.
CRPP said it was, “an arrant arrogance and impunity of the Oshiomhole government which should not be allowed to stand because it is an affront on the traditional institution in Edo state”, even as it accused the governor of playing God.
In a statement signed by its state chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, CRPP alleged that “Oshiomhole is noted for display of naked powers to intimidate, harass and subdue an imaginary opposition that refuses to tow his path of perdition especially the just concluded governorship election conducted by INEC which CRPP has rejected and described as not credible and manipulated.”
“Oshiomhole’s action is to vent his anger on the amiable, humble and well respected Onojie of Uromi. The out going governor’s action as usual is to spite the well respected Iyasele of Esan land and the people of Esan land for not voting for APC in the last governorship election”, the statement said.
The CRPP therefore, called on the governor to rescind the one year suspension, more so when the woman in question has apologized to the Onojie who has also forgiven her and equally apologized to the state government.
The Edo State Government had in a letter dated November 4, 2016, and signed by Secretary to the Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, suspended the Traditional ruler of Uromi, Zaiki Eidenojie II from his stool for one year for failing to apologise within the stipulated period of seven days to a woman, Ms Betty Okoeber, whom he allegedly assaulted on September 28, among other infractions.