…says you can’t aid, reward thuggery, cultism, yet claim to fight same

Media Adviser to immediate past Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Crusoe Osagie, has said no amount of lies, blackmail, and propaganda by the newly sworn-in governor-select, Monday Okpebholo and his media hirelings can blemish the legacies of the former governor who in eight years successfully transformed the fortunes of the people and placed the State on the path of accelerated growth and prosperity.

Osagie, in a statement, on Wednesday, lambasted the Okpebholo-led administration for its continuous resort to baseless allegations, falsehoods, and lies to discredit and tarnish the image of the former governor, describing the efforts as diversionary tactics to deflect attention from their cluelessness and lack of plans for the State’s development.

He noted that despite the incumbent government's futile attempts to malign and denigrate Obaseki, his legacies, achievements, and progressive policies remain indelible and undeniable, noting that the people of Edo State are discerning and will not be fooled by their petty theatrics.

Osagie said, “The vacuity and cluelessness of the Monday Okpebholo-led government was laid bare in its most recent polemic, where it fruitlessly sought to denigrate the immediate past governor of the State, whose illustrious legacy of service to Edo State transformed the fortunes of the people and placed the State on the path of progress and prosperity.

“In the scribbling riddled with falsehoods, lies, and propaganda, the government grandstanded about banning thugs when it is a well-known fact that thugs and thuggery are part and parcel of their administration.

"In fact, one of the most dreaded and notorious thugs in the State, popularly known as Ebo Stone, holds two key positions in the government. He currently serves as State Coordinator of the Public Safety Response Team and Chairman of the Government Vehicle Recovery Team. How else does a government celebrate and glorify thuggery?

"The government also touted to have addressed the issue of cultism and cult-related killings in the State when elements in the government are the sponsors of the criminal gang groups. It is on record that within the first two weeks of their government, the State witnessed the highest number of cult-related massacres in its history."

According to him, "The cultists who were unleashed on the Edo people during the election and have since failed to be put back on a leash are still on their mission of massacre, which has now snowballed into a turf war for the control of revenue collection in various motor parks and markets.

"Most laughable, however, is their threat to 'expose Obaseki' by recovering government vehicles in private possession, when it is public knowledge that all the vehicles they claim are missing from Edo State are actually with their associates, like Philip Shaibu, who alone has 21 government vehicles in his possession."

He added, "Okpebholo and his media hirelings should know that the people of Edo State are sophisticated and discerning people and can not be easily swayed by baseless, ignoble, and attention-seeking theatrics.

"If anything, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has firmly etched his name in gold in the annals of Edo State’s history through the big, bold, transformative, and impactful projects that dot the nooks and crannies of the State, and no matter the lies or blackmail, these legacies cannot be blemished.

"We urge the clueless government of Monday Okpebholo to refrain from their divisive tactics and resort to lies and propaganda, and instead focus on governance and delivering developmental projects for the benefit of the State and its people, if indeed they have any clear vision or agenda to offer," Osagie added.