Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state yesterday chided the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to stop peddling wicked rumours and falsehood on his person and the government, describing such as mischievous and destructive politics.
It would be recalled that the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare had on Thursday, alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki jetted out of the country after attending the burial rites of Mrs. Caroline Ikhazoboh in Lagos.
But in a swift reaction, the government said the PDP without verifying the location of the governor, addressed the press and dished out wicked falsehood and this mischief enjoyed some magnification in the media.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki said, “Well, since Mr. Nehikhare wants to know the governor’s whereabouts, the governor is very much in his office, in the state, going about the business of good governance and implementing policies that will move the state to a better place”.
According to the statement, “here is a man, whose statements have developed a knack for constituting capital mischief. Never mind that his favourite tool, a certain newspaper of which I will still mention, violates almost every known principle of journalism to uphold his cause and grant him public space.
“I am loath to believe that Mr. Nehikhare embarked on his most recent ill-conceived undertaking, which has prompted this reply, by the agency of any metaphysical agents such as Bad Angel in Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. I think it a fruitless endeavour for any spiritual agent to wheedle Mr. Nehikhare into the simplicity he exhibited.
“I therefore conjecture that Mr. Nehikhare is simply unlettered in the nuances of his duty as Publicity Secretary to the PDP, and will eventually give the party an ill name and hang it if he is not leashed and kept away from every form of media.
“So, in Mr. Nehikhare’s cloven world, if he were National Publicity Secretary of PDP, he would, as it tickled his fancy, release a statement alleging that the President of the country (someone he should have no authority to talk about) is in Ethiopia, setting fire to the country’s money and clubbing wantonly. Then he would head off to his favourite tool, a certain newspaper to do what he does to get them to believe his statements, and they will publish it.
“When will PDP and its cohorts desist from churning libelous stories? If they must make a show of being a formidable opposition, then their reports must be factual and not fallacious by nature.
“My concern is that a serious and well-intentioned opposition that has a duty to keep a government alive to its responsibilities should take extreme care in the preparation and formulation of its programmes and it should be able to justify its proposals.
“The essence of the opposition in a well-established democracy if it is to be of benefit is that it must be constructive, fair and factual, as this is the strength of the opposition in the established democracies of the world. A sincere opposition group recognises that its aim is not to antagonise, but to offer constructive criticism to whatever government is administering the affairs of the state.
“The new Edo will be a forward-thinking environment impervious to blackmail, and there will be no room for rumour mongering. Evidence proving the gradual emergence of a new Edo is not scarce despite misinterpretations and distortions aimed at painting the new Edo and its protagonists in negative colour.
“The opposition must understand that in this new socio-economic dispensation, jaded political, social and economic conduct must be discarded in favour of a progressive political ideology that supports an advanced conception of public and social duty.
“The truth is that, the fundamental principles of liberty and democracy which form every step towards this progress and development must be planned in advance and every social political, cultural or governmental function must be concentrated on the realization of these objectives sought. No discordant voice should be permitted to break the rhythm of the state’s harmony, as a disciplined Obaseki needs the co-operation of all to deliver those principal and irrevocable aims of government irrespective of political ideology or leaning. Time will soon vindicate the Obaseki administration in Edo State”.