Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu has reiterated Governor Monday Okpebholo’s efforts to promote peace, unity, understanding among the people of the state to build a better Nigeria, just as he condemns the People’s Democratic Party, PDP politicization of the unfortunate killing of some travelers at Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, recently.
The Commissioner in a statement in Benin City, noted that the Governor who condemned the senseless act of violence under whatever circumstances described the actions of the perpetrators as unacceptable and directed that machinery be set in motion immediately to fish out those responsible for the wicked and inhuman behavior.
“When the Governor heard the news of the incident in the night, he traveled from Abuja to Uromi the next morning and immediately charged the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book and justice must be served.
“As part of the steps taken after the incident, the Governor visited Kano where the victims come from, meeting with the Governor and families of those that were killed. There is no doubt that this is a time that tries men”s soul and Governor Monday Okpebholo has risen to the challenge,” he added.
According to him, “the politicization of the incident by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, claiming that the deteriorating security situation in the state culminated in the killing of the travelers is to say the least, very unfortunate and misplaced
“This wicked and inhuman behavior of the perpetrators no doubt has drawn the ire of every right thinking Nigerian and they deserve to be dealt with decisively. That was responsible for the swift decision of Governor Monday Okpebholo to ensure that those responsible and whoever has information that could assist the law enforcement agents should be fished out.
“It was therefore necessary for the Governor to suspend the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP. Friday Ibadin (RTD), to make way for proper investigation by the security agencies.
“The Governor’s efforts to overhaul the security architecture of the state should be appreciated and this unfortunate incident which is under investigation should not be used to score any cheap political points by the PDP.
“The Security agencies charged with the responsibility of fighting crime in the state have been mobilized with brand new vehicles and new Motor cycles by Governor Okpebholo which was not so in the past.”
Hon. Ohonbamu maintained that Governor Monday Okpebholo has provided working equipment for security agencies to operate in the three senatorial districts to protect lives and property of Edo people and the PDP is only looking for any opportunity to pass the buck of their failure on security in eight years, because if they took security seriously the way the Governor has devoted attention to the safety of the people, by now Edo state would have been free from the problem of insecurity.
The Commissioner said it is therefore laughable that the PDP that could not provide security for Edo people when they had the opportunity for eight years are now claiming to be committed to advocating for the protection of all citizens.
“It would be recalled that the PDP led administration could not avert any security crisis , because it was obvious that the security votes were not used judiciously for the purpose it was meant for.
“The PDP should desist from exposing their failures because the insecurity and violence in Edo today is the residue of their bad governance. They have no moral justification to call for any security summit to map out an effective security blueprint for the state,” Hon Ohonbamu added.
