By Ishaya Ibrahim
Members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have accused the government of President Muhammadu Buhari of not being fair to the state.
The petition is coming in the wake of the president’s scheduled visit to the state on Thursday, January 17, for campaigns.
“Edo State PDP, has just been informed that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, would be in Edo state to campaign for his re-election on Thursday, 17 January, 2019,” the party said in a statement by its state publicity secretary,
Mr. Chris Osa Nehikhare
“We have written an open letter to remind Mr President of our dilemma over the so-called “5-star hospital” built and purportedly equipped by his factional national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and commissioned by Mr President.
“Mr President, as you are coming to Edo State to campaign for your re-election, we hope you will ask about that hospital.
“Be that as it may, Edo people are wondering how you want to gain their support and vote especially as you are aware that since you were sworn in as President, federal government presence has disappeared from our state apparently in fulfilment of your 97% and 5% development formula. You will recall that Edo people rejected your party by voting 2 of the 3 senators and 5 of the 9 house of representatives members from PDP in 2015.
“Your government claims it is feeding primary school children across the country with N228b annually, how many Edo pupils have you Fed? NONE!
“Your government claims it has used over N3 trillion for infrastructural development in the last three years, How much have you spent on infrastructure in Edo? NONE!
“Our Benin-Abuja road was abandoned since you came in. The NPDC head office previously under construction, abandoned since you came in almost 4 years ago and Benin-Abraka road, same!
“In Edo, our women and traders have also not benefited from you unimaginative vote-buying mechanism you nicknamed Tradermoni. This policy though pedestrian and repulsive, your government has deliberately short-changed Edo traders.
“You promised millions of jobs, but none was created in Edo state. Even the farmers were deceived by your party to open and deposit money with a bank so they can have access to loans. But alas, it was a lie! And to add insult to injury, herdsmen challenges were not addressed by your government. Your government pretended like they did not hear the cries of our farmers!
“Your government promised to upgrade Benin airport to an international airport by December 2018, but we are not surprised as it was just another vote buying scam designed by your party.
“In the area of appointments, your government has not been fair to us as no Edo man or woman is in charge of any Ministry, Department or Agency.
“Mr President, Edo people are very politically matured and sophisticated, so dont allow Adams Oshiomhole to deceive you like he did in regards to the hospital you commissioned. He is going to hire crowd who will not vote for you at the elections because quite frankly, you have nothing to campaign with.”
The statement was sequel to an open letter which the state chairman of the party, Mr. Dan Orbih, wrote to the president on Wednesday urging him to prevail on “Edo State government to avail Edo people the dividends of democracy, particularly in the health sector.”
Below is the full letter: .
An open letter to Mr President as he comes to Edo state to campaign for his re-election.
January 16, 2019
His Excellency, President M. Buhari, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Your Excellency,
Two years after, Central Hospital still under Lock and Key
Compliments of the season.
In November 2018 when we heard you were coming to pay a working visit to Edo state, we issued a press release. The press release was essentially to remind you that over 2 years ago, the then Governor , Adams Aliyu Oshiomole invited you to commission a so-called “5star hospital” built and purportedly equipped by his administration. Unfortunately, you cancelled the visit.
Just this morning, we were informed you will be coming on Thursday, 17th January and the only way we can talk to you is by writing you this brief letter.
We believe it will be of interest to you to know that since your visit in 2016, the “5star hospital” has neither recorded any out-patient, nor admitted any in-patient. The building hosts only rodents and reptiles.
It is now obvious that Governor Adams Oshiomole cleverly executed the project as a scam to defraud the state and deny the people access to good health facilities, a situation that has led to hundreds of avoidable deaths.
Our concern over this despicable act, Mr. President, is not just that billions of taxpayers’ money was sunk into this phoney project, but you were persuaded to commission a non existent hospital that makes it look like you were party to the deceit and fraud.
While Edo people are now used to the fact that Adams Oshiomhole can do anything to deceive the people to enrich himself, we are embarrassed at the attempt to use your person to commission a building that has only served as a center for internally displaced reptiles in Benin City as well as a conduit pipe for milking Edo state and its people.
Finally, Mr. President we urge you to pay a second visit to the central Hospital to enable you appreciate the disappointment of the people over this central Hospital scandal of fraud and deceit. We call on you to use your office to direct relevant government agencies to commence immediate investigation and necessary action to bring the principal actors to book.
Kindly prevail on Edo State government to avail Edo people the dividends of democracy, particularly in the health sector.
Yours Sincerely,
CHIEF DAN OSI ORBIH
Chairman, Edo State PDP
