APRIL 18, 2012 BY JAMES AZANIA, BENIN
The build-up to the July 14 governorship election in Edo State heightened on Tuesday following allegations of diversion of public funds by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
The Peoples Democratic Party at a press conference in Benin accused the governor of using tax payer’s money to construct a country home, which it estimated at N10bn, in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area.
PDP state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, expressed shock at what he described as the fraudulent and fake posture of Oshiomhole.
In a swift reaction, Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Mr. Tony Iyare, described the allegations as an attempt by the PDP in the state to cause disaffection and “throw mud at the hard earned reputation” of the governor.
Iyare, in a statement, claimed the PDP’s goal was to cause mischief, “particular at a time Edo people are clamouring for his return for a second term.”
Orbih, during a preview of video slides of supposed aerial view of a massive residential project under construction purportedly belonging to Oshiomhole, said, “I know most of you have paid visit to Governor Oshiomhole’s home in Iyamho. I am sure you have seen his private residence before he assumed office and I am shocked at the pictures displayed.
“Why this is shocking to many is because of the fake posture of the governor. We are also aware that after coming to office his statures changed, even his private residence has change.
“You will agree with me that the slogan the governor adopted when he came to the office was ‘Let the People Lead,’ but we have since discovered that it is a one man show government.
“Oshiomhole has said a lot about our governorship candidate, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, making spurious allegations which found space at the back page of some newspapers but we didn’t bother to join issues with him because we knew his stock in trade is to deceive people.”
Iyare, who noted that Oshiomhole built his only home more than 20 years ago, described PDP’s N10bn mansion allegation as fairy tale, existing in the imagination of the sponsors.
“We are aware that the promoters of this laughable falsehood had gone round many media houses in Lagos with sack-loads of blood money to induce its publication, but were turned down outright on the basis of the amateurish job done, until the cheap bait finally caught these unconscionable hacks in the periphery of yellow journalism,” he said.
SOURCE: The Punch, 18 April 2012. http://www.punchng.com
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