* Says Anambra Gov Has Given Up On Security In The State, Engaging In Buck Passing
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)
Candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday, November 6 governorship poll in Anambra state, Senator Andy Uba, has challenged the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to explain to the citizens of Anambra what he has so far done with the alleged N1.5billion Security voted he receives, including the alleged N250million his wife is said to also receive.
Uba's challenge arose from the spate of killings, arson, and a general pall of insecurity that has pervaded the state in recent times and which obviously has affected the progress of political campaigns in the state.
In a statement on Sunday by Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, the Director, Media, and Publicity division of the Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation (SAUGCO), the APC governorship flagbearer accused the governor of having given up on his official obligations as governor and Chief Security Officer of Anambra State.
According to Senator Uba, "After weeks of lethargy and inaction, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano, may have finally given up on his duties as a chief security officer of the state. Instead, he has directed residents of the state to only look up to the federal authorities for succour".
Earlier at the weekend, the Anambra State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlighten, Hon. CDon Adinuba had made it clear that it can not be held responsible for the ominous state of insecurity in Anambra state since governor Obiano is not in control of the security apparatus of the country as her Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and also as the Supreme Commander of all the nation's security organizations.
But Senator Uba however faulted the Anambra authorities for absolving the state government of responsibility for the security of the state. Uba maintains that the governor was being economical with the truth on insecurity blames.
The APC candidate, in the statement, raised the following posers to governor Obiano: "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?
"Each time Gov. Obiano clownishly adorns himself in military camouflage, does he do so for mere comic display?
"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?
"From the Commissioner's unsavory submissions, we make bold to say that Governor Obiano appears to have thrown up his hands in heedless surrender.
"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 its properties.
"It is only after then, APC will take over the state because he will hand over power to Senator Andy Uba.
"But instead of seeking to finish strong in the area of security - for which he ceaselessly prides himself - the administration rather appears to revel in its inability to provide a secure environment for all, regardless of party affiliation. Otherwise, why would the government descend into a partisan arena to rejoice in the fact that the All Progressives Congress, APC had to put on hold its scheduled flag off, owing mainly to several killings brought about in the first place by its security incompetencies?
"Instead of seeking ways of making restitution to the people of Anambra who have been misgoverned over the last seven years and a 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.
"Indeed, with Governor Obiano 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 the government.
"Rather than insisting on foisting an inclement weather on the very people the administration ought to govern, we urge Governor Obiano to smell the coffee and not attempt to pull down the state with him", Ogene said in the statement. NNL.
