A group of politicians from Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State have described as baseless and unfounded, the allegations made by the Benin National Congress (BNC) against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Abubakar Momoh.
The BNC had insinuated that the Edo South Senatorial District is being sidelined or discriminated against in terms of political appointment and projects allocation in favour of the north because Momoh, and the state leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, are both from the same ethnic group in Edo North.
However, a strongly worded press statement signed by some Edo north stakeholders comprising Hon. Godwin Eshieshi, Alhaji Musa Suleiman and the APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, insisted that the Niger Delta Minister is a fair and just leader, adding that the allegations against him were false as the minister has not made any appointments since his assumption of office.
“Ordinarily, one would have turned a blind eye but for the respect for the royal father and the good people of Edo South, it’s pertinent to set the records straight. Since the Minister of Niger Delta assumed office, no appointment has been made in the ministry.
“The minister toured the region with a view of consulting with the stakeholders of the region, inspection of projects and also to have a first hand knowledge of
abandoned, ongoing and completed projects.
“The tour of the region has availed the minister the opportunity to interact with the critical stakeholders of the region and also carry out the needs assessment of the region which has enabled him present his budget
to the National Assembly. On the national scene, the Benin National Congress (BNC), need not be reminded that political appointments are based on the performance or patronage of the political party in each region.
“We are aware of the shenanigan and the anti-party activities that played out in the last general election which resulted to the senatorial district losing the senatorial seat and the presidential election to another political party in the state. It’s never heard of that failure is rewarded. Therefore, expecting to get the same or more political appointments like the Edo North, which does not even exist, will amount to reaping where one did not sow” the statement read.
The statement warned that the accusations of playing ethnic card levelled against the minister, Momoh, and Senator Oshiomhole is akin to giving a dog bad name in order to hang it.
The Edo North stakeholders therefore urged all Edolites to eschew ethnic bitterness and join hands with Momoh and Oshiomhole to move the state in particular and the Niger Delta region in general forward.
