Mr. Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media Projects to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, says the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Chairman, Col. David Imuse are insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
In a statement on Wednesday, the governor’s aide said it was quite depressing to read a statement from the Edo APC Chairman, whose government at the centre he said has thrown the entire Edo, and Nigeria into pervasive gloom and perpetual fear for the future.
“Imuse’s statement is a slap on the faces of citizens of Edo State and, indeed, all Nigerians, considering the fact that it is his party, the APC, that is superintending over the gradual liquidation of the Nigerian State,” Mr. Osagie said.
“A litre of fuel which used to sell for N159 now sells for N700; one dollar which exchanged for N150, today goes for N870 and above; a pound which exchanged for between N850 and N900, is now exchanging over N1,100. Nigeria is gasping for breath under the chokehold of the APC.
“Instead of Imuse to come to Edo people with unreserved apologies over their obvious failure to steady the ship of State, he is sauntering around with arrogant statements, grandstanding and attempting to shift the blame for the suffering of the masses to an innocent Governor, whose effort in the efficient management of the Edo economy has so far prevented a descent into anarchy.”
The APC chairman had in his statement spoke about a certain N16 billion that was reportedly refunded to the Edo State Government by the federal government from the intervention in the repair of Federal Roads in Edo State by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, when he was governor.
However, Osagie accused Imuse of conveniently leaving out the fact that Oshiomhole allegedly left the state with nothing less than N160 billion debt “expended on various jamborees, including the so-called Federal Roads that he fixed while seriously needed infrastructure and economic development in the State suffered.”
Osagie added, “Imuse may not have regard for his leaders including the Governor of Edo State but he should at least spare a thought for innocent Nigerians who are paying the ultimate price daily on the various completely dilapidated Federal Roads around Edo State. The least they expect from the Federal Government is to live up to their responsibilities of protecting their lives and properties.”