Oshiomhole’s silence on N200m home worries PPA

By Patrick Ahanor
Benin City

Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in Edo state has called Governor Godwin Obaseki to withhold his assent to the recent amended Pension Bill by the House of Assembly which approved N200 and N100 million worth of houses for former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his Deputy, Pius Odubu, respectively.
This was just as the party called on Edo people and groups to continuously demand for the repeal of the Bill.
The party, in a statement by its state chairman, Dave Esokpunwu, and Secretary, Jide Ibrahim, respectively, also called on former Governor Oshiomhole and other beneficiaries of the Bill to speak up by rejecting the package.
It said the sumptuous packages being offered ex-governors and ex-deputies apparently disregard the present revenue base of the state and the current recession in the country.
PPA lamented that the entire amendment was targeted at upgrading the living standard and boosting the ostentatious lifestyle of the privileged individuals “when pensioners and other state workers are starving to death due to non-payment of gratuity and pension as well as salaries and allowances.”
The statement, however, commended the people of the state for the peaceful conduct at the September 28, governorship election and making sure that PPA came fourth among the 18 political parties that contested the election.
“While we respect the choice (Obaseki) you have made during the poll, we intend to engage in constructive criticism of the action and inaction of government aimed at ensuring good governance in the state,” the party said.