We are perplexed to learn of the quite laughable and incredibly ridiculous tantrums attributed to the new acting chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe where he made baseless and spurious allegations on the fiscal management of our dear State by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government.
Obviously pained by the achievements of the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki across all sectors of the State over the past seven years – which he and his co-travelers are trying hard to deny – Tenebe has been on a frenzy looking for lies to tell since he assumed office as Acting Chairman. Rather than focus on reawakening his completely comatose party, which is unable to provide constructive criticisms expected of a viable opposition, he has resorted to spreading misinformation in a desperate attempt to curry cheap popularity.
In his infertile rambling, Tenebe made wild and completely off-the-mark comments suggesting that Edo State is owing $35 billion. Even if that was what was written for him, he should have known that the figure is wrong and can’t be true.
In reality, our debt stock is not a secret and in fact, we are ‘under borrowed’. Emperor Tenebe would have known this if he understood the economics of governance, fiscal responsibility and debt-to-GDP ratio.
The recent facility approved by the State Assembly was to amongst other projects, enable the State Government procure electric buses to enhance the state’s transportation system.
You will recall that Edo State Government introduced free bus rides for its residents five months ago. The free transport scheme has benefitted over 3.4 million Edo residents. The procurement of the electric buses will further cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal by the APC-led FG, on the people of the State.
The procurement of these buses further demonstrates the State Government’s commitment to the welfare of Edo people.
Tenebe’s undoing is that he and his party have been so used to looting of the people’s treasury and cannot bear the pain that they would never have access to the State’s purse with which the governor has continued to pursue developmental projects across the state.
It is even more saddening that a party’s chairman only thinks about brick and mortar projects when it comes to development.
Tenebe’s attention must be drawn to the fact that opposition politics is not cynicism. Opposition politics requires intelligence, tact and not childish tantrums.
Edo people know better and are too intelligent to be swayed by such antics, smear campaigns and cheap blackmail. We urge Tenebe and his ilk in the APC to stop chasing shadows but rather funnel those energies to reawakening their comatose party ahead of the September 2024 governorship election.
Chris Osa Nehikhare
Honourable Commissioner for Communication & Orientation
