REPLY TO OSHIOMOLE'S ALLEGATION AGAINST GOVERNOR OKOWA
Hon Patrick Ukah
Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, accusing Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa of deploying militants in Edo state to disrupt the now postponed governorship election earlier slated for Saturday, 10 September, 2016.
Ordinarily, we are weary of joining issues with, not just a next door neighbor governor, but also of a state which together with Delta, has shared such a long and enviable social, political and economic history from the old days Mid-West Region to that of the now defunct Bendel State.
However, it has become necessary to, if only for once, let the public know that it has assumed a pattern for Governor Oshiomhole to embark on unprovoked attack and utterly undeserved potshots on Governor Okowa, who has never deemed it necessary to respond to such un-gubernatorial tantrums. We make bold to say that this is an unwholesome and unrewarding trajectory to embark upon.
In the present instance, we vehemently reject this accusation as alarmist in conception, reckless in delivery, puerile in content and false in facts , and so fit only for kindergarten's "tales by moonlight".
Oshiomhole is known for making wide, unsubstantiated and curious allegations. It is something of a trademark peculiar to him. If a man is gifted with the power of oratory, he must be careful to avoid a descent into suffering from diarrhea of the mouth.
The unfortunate aspect of Oshiomhole's allegations is his disdain for, and crass ignorance of the place of figures. In this era of economic downturn and general challenge posed by paucity of funds for capital and recurrent expenses, it beats one hollow that Oshiomhole would, in his wide imagination, come up with such a curious allegation that a state in this country will just dole out one billion Naira in cash and to imagine the other logistics of embarking on 'exporting militants' to another state.
Much as Governor Okowa, as a faithful party member, will support the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he will never be a party to exporting militants to Edo State. And he certainly has better things to channel One Billion Naira into. And just for the record, Governor Okowa is not owing salaries.
We recall a similar development in 2012 when Oshiomhole surprised the whole nation by raising an alarm on election day against the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it was about to rig the election in favour of the opposition. It turned out to be hoax as he won his re-election bid. He was to later childishly explain his gaffe as just being proactive.
We wish to warn that the good people of Edo and Delta have come a very long way. Oshiomhole should not in the name of politics sow a seed of discord, suspicion and bitterness in their minds before leaving office. He now has 18 more days to work for his candidate and party, we advise he faces it squarely and stop this impolitic of mudslinging and campaign of calumny.
Patrick Ukah
Commissioner of Information
Delta State.