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Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has condemned attempts by some ‘unscrupulous’ elements to cause mayhem in the state, insisting that his administration would not tolerate acts of hooliganism in any guise.
He also urged the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to always put the state chapter of the party and the state government on notice when visiting for the accordance of courtesies due to him as a national figure.
In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, the current administration said its attention “has been drawn to reports in the media over activities of some unscrupulous elements attempting to create a resurgence of the menace of thuggery in the state which this government has succeeded in bringing to an end.”
He said: “As a government, “we have worked extremely hard to ensure that opportunities are created for all citizens to leverage on government’s initiatives and earn a living legitimately without resort to crime and criminality.
“With regards to the purported attack on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, government wishes to reiterate the comment of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Dan Mallam Muhammed to the effect that the purported attack ‘never happened’. The government also wishes to stress that in Edo State, tangible investment has been made by government to enhance security for our citizens. It is not an accident that Edo is considered as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.”
The official went on: “As Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshomhole is a national figure and his safety is of utmost importance to us as a government. Accordingly, it is expected that the state government and the state chapter of the APC would be put on notice whenever the national chairman desires to visit the state so that adequate security and logistics are made and courtesies deserving of his status are accorded throughout the period of his stay.”
Besides, the governor yesterday sacked all political appointees in the state’s 18 councils.
A government statement said all special advisers, senior special assistants, secretaries to the local governments and supervisory councilors were affected.
Earlier this month, Obaseki sacked over 300 political appointees while four council chairmen, namely Eghe Ogbemudia (Egor); Patrick Aguinede, (Esan West); Alhaji Yakson Musa (Etsako West); and Aremiyau Momoh of Etsako East had been suspended for alleged corrupt activities.