By Ajibola Abayomi Lagos
Chief Blessing Agbomhere, a political stalwart in Edo State, has taken a swipe at the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiohmole for kicking against agitation for restructuring of Nigeria. Th e politician lampooned the former governor describing him as hypocrite.
At the 20th Professor Wole Soyinka Lecture organised by National Association of Seadogs, Oshiomhole had faulted the timing of the agitation stating that it wasn’t the right time to discuss the unity of the country. But Agbomhere countered it in a statement made available to Blueprint on Th ursday arguing that: “l disagreed with Adams.
Th ere is no better time to discuss the fragmented unitary government that was bequeathed to us by the British, than now, as this will help the policy direction and trust of the President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration. “ It is an open fact that Adams was the biggest military apologist in his days at the Nigeria Labour Congress as he tries unsuccessfully to distance himself from the nation’s democratic heroes. Instead of criticising those elites he now tries to disparage, he should appreciate them for pushing for creation of more states and encourage them to continually push for frontiers that will benefi t the common Nigerians.
“Th e self- eff acing purist said those pushing for the implementation of the National Confab report were doing so because part of its mrecommendation was that 18 additional states should be created. If I may ask, did Adams Oshiomhole not support Jonathan’s National Confab? “Did he not send delegates from Edo State while he was governor? Yes he did. As a Nigerian, I see nothing wrong in implementing the essential parts of National Confab report for the benefi t of every Nigerian.” Not done with the ex-governor, Agbomhere noted that: “Adams also revealed that many states that received the 13 per cent oil derivation funds, deviated from using the purpose of the fund to procure aircrafts, built state of the art government house without building state of the art hospitals, health centres and schools.
“Here Adams Oshiomhole was correct but cleverly omitted to add that he is among those governors he accused of diverting the funds meant for the developing of oil producing areas as he used the billions allocated to the three local government areas to restructure his family. “Going by the allegation of corruption that has been fi led against him at both the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Adams may fi nd it diffi cult to exonerate himself from the gloom that has enveloped Ikpoba Okha Local Government, Ovia North East Local Area and Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
“Communities in these three local government areas are refl ections of abandonment – lacking basic amenities despite their huge allocation from Federation Account, but diverted. “ In his case, unlike his colleagues, instead of changing the face of Edo State Government house, he used the derivation funds to build his multi- billion Playboy Mansions with roof top swimming pools, indoor swimming pools, underground saunas, automated kitchens, and chilling cold rooms in Iyamho, Okoro Otun, Benin City, Abuja and Ikoyi, to the extent of plunging Edo State into over N300 billion debts which generation of Edo yet unborn will continue to pay, and which poses huge danger to the Godwin Obaseki administration”.
