Former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion, has disclosed that he declined to react to the accusations leveled against him by Governor Adams Oshiomhole because he did not believe in calling people names and that he had an upbringing that was different from that of the governor.
The ex-governor, who spoke with journalists in Benin, accused Governor Oshiomhole of using propaganda to spread falsehood and discredit his government, pointing out that his administration performed better that the Oshiomhole’s administration “in terms of kobo to kobo and project to project.”
He said despite efforts to cover up the achievements of his government, it was on record that the state government was not owing any bank when he left office in 2007, regretting that the state now owes over $200 million and unspecified billions of naira.
He said, “Today, the state is owing over $200 million and I do not know how many billions of naira inclusive. When I left office in 2007, I was not owing any bank, not even an overdraft, no salary arrears and no pension arrears even though they are lying left and right now.
“These facts are well documented. I believe in human capital development and I did that satisfactorily. But what is the situation today? I earnestly feel sorry for the next PDP government coming in because they are going to meet an empty treasury, a big hole.
“I just pray that by God’s grace, he has the wisdom and ingenuity to return the state to sound footing because the debt they have put the state is alarming, very frightening.”
On Oshiomhole, he said, “I don’t believe in calling people names. I have never criticised his (Oshiomhole) government and that is not my style.
“I have given him enough room to run his government but it’s now time for the people of Edo State to really look inwards and search their souls and ask under which administration have they lived a more comfortable, prosperous, people-oriented and secured life.
“I leave the people to make that judgment. He (Oshiomhole) believes in listening to himself. I believe in watching and listening to other people rather than making unnecessary vile and rude statements about other people.”
Igbinedion, who is a son of the Esama of Benin, also spoke for the first time on the reason he had not been seen in the open campaigning for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, disclosing that the PDP candidate is an adult of over 50 years of age, hence he did not need to speak for him.
He said, “He (Ize-Iyamu) did not need to be baby-seated. He didn’t need a feeding bottle. As far as I am concerned, our party is well grounded and our party chairman is very versatile and very capable. He had been doing very well. He has my full backing. He has my endorsement and support.”
