A Tale of Two Thieves

The showdown between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Lucky Igbinedion, both of Edo state brings to mind a small but powerful verse in one of Fela’s songs, which goes something like this, “I no bi thief, u bi thief; I no bi robber, u bi robber”.

The insult back and forth by both of them is not that money wasn’t stolen, but who stole more given the resources of the state. This is very interesting to watch, and also very cunning as most people are focused on the show rather than digesting what it all means.

Let’s examine the situation for a moment in sequence of events so we fully understand this matter.

Edo State was governed by a PDP led government under Chief Lucky Igbinedion’s administration from 1999 to 2007. As far as the people of Edo State are concerned no development whatsoever took place in the state during that time frame.

This was confirmed by the statement of the Chief-of Staff from 1999 to 2003 and Secretary to State government from 2003 to 2007, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu when “He listed the challenges to include the rot inflicted on the state by long years of military rule which left Edo State with huge liabilities, the ruling party which produced the governor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the small finances that was available to the state as at the time Igbinedion was governor.

He also stated that the PDP backed the poor performance of former Governor Igbinedion because “it had no manifesto, blueprint or plan for governance and in Edo State was actually personified by one lead character that was literally worshipped as the owner and giver of political power.”” Published June 10, 2013

In many other instances, he claimed not to have knowledge of how the finances were spent, even though as the SSG all files must pass through his desk for approval. He joined Oshiomhole to rubbish the PDP and stated during campaign that the PDP was a failure; never did he try to defend an administration he was part of.

As poor as the state was and unable to meet up with the demands, we all knew that the then Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion spent most of his time out of the country, spending the states scarce resources on trip to different countries where he lavished our treasury on parties, imported girls, and shopping. It is also not news that the then labour leader Adams Oshiomhole escorted him on many of those trips opening his eyes to money laundering and excesses while remaining silent. It was the agreement never to probe the Lucky Igbinedion administration that got him the right to contest for governor in 2007 on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). It is also believed that Governor Oshiomhole also agreed then that upon leaving office he will hand over to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

So Governor Oshiomhole prompted us to the dual carriage way from the Lagos Express Road to Okada for which N2 billion (Two billion Naira) was paid to Bright Igbinedion’s company. This project was never executed. Is the state not entitled to a refund and the culprits brought to book?

The abandoned Ava Cement company in AKoko-Edo which was established with the sum of $31 million (Thirty-One Million Dollars) stolen from Edo State treasury. This fund was never appropriated by the House Assembly, neither was it discussed in the state executive council and the company is owned privately by Igbinedion and Fashanu. This is stealing o. The money should be returned or the abandoned project ceased and auctioned to recover the money, and returned to the state treasury. Government land and property sold to the the Igbinedion family for pennies and much more.

Governor Oshiomhole boasted that he will drag Chief Lucky Igbinedion to the EFCC. Chief Lucky Igbinedion exposed Governor Oshiomhole of his Estate in South African purchased with Edo State treasury from which the state does not benefit, Commercial property in Dubai, A hospital in the United States for his son, a penthouse in Atlanta next to Chief Lucky Igbinedion’s penthouse, homes in California, Abuja, Kano and the Ten billion naira home in Iyamoh and some investments in his wife’s home country.

Is it blackmail or is it pay-off that has suddenly made these two silent. Haba, all this money fought over is it not our State money meant to develop the state? Now Governor Oshiomhole will see it fit to tax the people three times over to cover for money stolen from us.

This is where it gets very interesting. Let us not forget that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has always denied being a participant in Chief Lucky Igbinedion’s administration one which he calls a failure. He also claimed that he did not have any powers or control over what the governor did. However, earlier this year 2015 he choose to render an apology to the people of Edo State and this was his statement as published.

“According to the report, Osagie Ize-Iyamu asked Edo people to “forgive me for being one of those in the forefront that brought Mr. Oshiomhole to be the governor of the state. We now know who he is. Therefore, in the coming elections, Edo people should not repeat the mistake of the past”.”

We wonder how a “NOBODY” had the powers to install a governor in our state. But one thing is sure Edo people should not repeat the mistake of the past.

This is why, the failed then governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion stated that he was going to decide who the next governor was going to be, and well we are yet to know on what grounds he stands on to make that decision, since all he does is fail. All failing and thieving and no progress.

We know who he is supporting by his statement which reads, “Whoever is going to be the next governor of Edo State must be one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. And must also be a member of the ‘family'”, he said.

He went on to tip Ize-Iyamu for the governorship race and rated him ahead of other contestants in the race.” Published July 2015.

Is Edo State now a family business? NO, it is not and we have had enough. But What Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu have unmistakably alerted us to, is that they have controlled the State for fifteen years with nothing but theft and failures and the timid people of Edo State should give them another 8 years.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu functioned in the failed 8 years of the PDP led administration governed by Chief Lucky Igbinedion from 1999 to 2007, Installed a failed ACN/APC led administration governed by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from 2008 to Present, back tracked to PDP to install himself as governor for another 8 years. Since everything Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is involved in is a failure on what foundation of good governance does he stand on to run for the number one position of the State. A man who never takes responsibility for his failings can never be trusted and does not mean well for the good people of Edo State. Does the PDP now have a manifesto, blueprint and plan just because he is running. The grand-father and supreme chopper wants direct access to the chopping.

Governor Oshiomhole on the other hand is hell bent on producing the next governor, and as it has been rumoured his mind is made up on Mr. Godwin Obaseki, which information has it that he has been the one helping Governor Oshiomhole in securing unpaid loans, moving Edo State monies in the billions for investment into the Dangote groups and laundering of our states funds. All of this earned Obaseki the lead on the State’s economic team. Sadly the state benefits nothing and the people continue to wallow in poverty. Oh yes, while the thieving and chopping continues.

All we have heard is “na u thief pass me”. I no thief reach u”. We as Edo People must free ourselves from this sham. Remember there are some mistakes that take a life time to correct.

In this next election for the governor’s seat in 2016 we must be wise to vote for someone who can administer Edo state, brings goodwill to its people and doesn’t see it as a family business.