By: Enahoro Iyemefokhai
Jan 15, 2022, Edo State Governor, Mr.Godwin Obaseki said his government had not stolen any public fund in the past five years. Obaseki made the remarks while swearing- in newly appointed political aides on Friday in Benin City.
He said the state government rather than stealing from the public funds took money from political leaders or highly-placed citizens who fail to support the government’s developmental plan to work for the people of the state.
While noting that taking money from such political leaders or highly-placed citizens is not a crime, he added that they tried to stop the government but failed because Edo must move forward.
“We have not stolen money, rather we took the money from them to work for Edo people and it’s not a crime. They tried to stop us but failed because Edo must move forward.
“People are angry with progress as our detractors abuse us in the social media daily trying to rubbish all the efforts we have put in the last five years.
“Any political leader or highly placed citizen who fails to support our development in Edo State is our enemy. We have no reason not to make progress as we have been able to achieve a lot in the last five years”, he said.
The governor, who opined that politicians should influence the government to ensure infrastructural development is attracted to the community noted that leaders should work for the people as the days where leaders think of themselves are over.
He added that leaders should be occupying privileged position changing the lives of the people.
He, however, charged the newly appointed political aides to further add value to the government by contributing their quota to the development of the state and their communities.
He also urged them to use their offices to attract development into the state rather than joining other retrogressive forces to slow the development of the state. The governor, who further remarked that the politics of Nigeria has changed as the politics played in 1999 has expired, opined that anyone trying to play 1999 politics today will certainly fail.
“We have started a new politics, which is politics of development, and anything short of that is designed to fail. “In 1999, there was no mobile phone, no social media but today all that has changed as politics is run now with social media.
“Looking at Uhunmwonde as the poorest local government in Edo state one will wonder the effect of their political leaders. You, new leaders, and political actors will be held responsible if the local government remains poor.
Your appointment is not for you but the people; it’s for you to use the position to positively affect the lives of the people.
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“You must deliver services to the people. The appointment is for you to work for the people; you will be sacked in three months if you fail to deliver,” he added. In her response on behalf of the newly inaugurated appointees, Lady Uwa Osunbor thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the Edo people, reassuring them that they will do their best to ensure the government succeeds.
Those sworn in are Lady Uwa Osunbor, Special Adviser, Political, Edo South as well as 10 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and 30 Special Assistants (SAs) from Egor and Uhunmwonde Local Government Areas (LGAs).
