BEVERLY HILLS, March 26, (THEWILL) – The Edo state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed support for the Government of Godwin Obaseki over the revocation of state properties allocated to cronies of former governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
The State Government had on Tuesday demolished the properties of the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu and that of Professor Julius Ihonvbere, former secretary to the state government (SSG) and Mike Itemuagbon, sports promoter, saying that the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) of the properties were revoked alongside that of his own (Obaseki’s).
The government justified its action, explaining that, it revoked the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) of 11 government properties within the Government Reserved Area (GRA) which were allotted to former political office holders, companies and private individuals as parting gifts on the eve of the exit of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole from office.
It further said that one of the properties was allocated to Governor Obaseki and was also revoked
While storm of criticisms, especially by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , have trailed the incident, describing it a political vendetta against those who were in opposition to the Obaseki’s second term bid, the PDP has however expressed its support and commended the governor’s action.
The PDP in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said the party has consistently taken a strong stance on the importance of recovering and retaining state assets.
The statement read: “On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) published a full page advertisement in some national dailies including the state owned newspaper, The Observer, titled, “REVOCATION OF RIGHTS OF OCCUPANCY AND COMPENSATION THEREOF IN PURSUANCE OF SECTIONS 28 AND 38 OF THE LAND USE DECREE No 6 OF 1978”, of beneficiaries as well as the details of survey plan and certificate of occupancy numbers of their allotment.
“This action became necessary as a result of the discovery of the mindless, reckless and absurd allocation and conversion of government properties and assets to private use by the ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole led APC government. Edo PDP cautioned ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole severally for his penchant for greed and illegality.
“PDP always condemned the gifting of government property for political patronage, a practice that was rampant in the Adams Oshiomhole led government. You will recall we had to mobilize to Lagos to stop the illegal conversion of Edo House, an edifice second-to-none in the highbrow Victoria Island, by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, even though he disguised the conversion as sale to private interests.
“Nothing better reinforces the greed, hypocrisy and display of power arrogance than the forceful eviction and destruction of the University of Benin staff quarters along Edo-Osagie Avenue G.R.A., Benin City, by the Adams Oshiomhole led State government, than the allocation of same to his cronies. The brutality of that action still baffles Edo people.
“The People’s Democratic Party in Edo State supports and applauds Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki’s decision to recover government property illegally converted to personal use.
“It is not only illegal and immoral but outright mischievous for Adams Oshiomhole to have gifted the official residence of the Secretary to the State Government to his Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Pius Odubu, and for Odubu to have accepted same and begin to lay claim of ownership to such, effectively denying the state an official residence for the SSG.
“Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole also had the audacity to allocate a huge portion of Government House to a company curiously named C.A. Aliyu and Company Limited. In an attempt to mask, hide and cover-up his deeds, Comrade Adams Aliyu allocated an unsolicited Government asset to Governor Godwin Obaseki who has rightly revoked and returned the Greek gift to Edo State government.
“Frankly speaking, the size of our victory in the last governorship election imposes a very special responsibility on us. To be a Government of high ideals and hard choices. Not popular for one time but remembered for all time. Not just a better government than previous, but one of the great, radical, reforming Governments of our history. To build an Edo, not for a few, but for all the people. And it will require ‘Resetting’. Hard choices. I know our people can make them if we show how and why.
“Governor Obaseki and PDP have championed a fairer and more equitable society while our party has consistently taken a strong stance on the importance of recovering and retaining state assets.”
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