By Emma Ogbuehi
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano, may have finally given up on his duties as chief security officer of the state. Instead, he has directed residents of the state to only look up to the federal authorities for succour. These were allegations by Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation (SAUGCO), the platform for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Anambra November 6 governorship election, Senator Andy Uba.
The statement by SAUGCO was signed by the Director, Media and Publicity, Victor Ogene, in response to a release by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment. C. Don Adinuba on the rising spate of insecurity in the state.
“President Buhari, not Governor Willy Obiano, is the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces and head of all security agencies in the country,” the commissioner was quoted to have stated.
But reacting to the statement SAUGCO asked; “When Mr. Adinuba proceeds to glow in the same statement that our dear state “for seven years enjoyed the richly deserved reputation of the most peaceful state in the whole country,” was President Buhari not the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces?
“When Governor Obiano collects the humongous sum of N1.5 Billion monthly as security vote, and his wife, N250 million, is it meant for carousing in the Governor’s Lodge, or to secure the state?
The group alleged that from the Commissioner’s submissions, it was apparent that the governor has thrown up his hands in heedless surrender. It noted; ” but we make haste to advise that it is too early so to do. In fact, until March 17, 2021, we insist that Gov. Obiano remains the chief security officer of Anambra state and must do his level best to secure the state, its people and properties”.
SAUGCO added that instead of seeking to finish strong in the area of security – for which it ceaselessly prides itself – the Obiano administration rather appears to revel in its inability to provide a secure environment for all, regardless of party affiliation.
“Instead of seeking ways of making restitution to the people of Anambra who have been misgoverned over the last seven years and half, leading to key stalwarts and functionaries of both the party and government leaving in droves to join the APC, Governor Obiano, rather, refuses to act, lending credence to claims in several quarters that he does not want the November 6, 2021 governorship election to hold”, the statement remarked.
It added that with the governor and his administration openly admitting that the recent spate of killings in the state is “politically motivated,” it is now very clear that the orchestrated reign of violence, perhaps, has the imprimatur of government.