Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor (EDSG) on Media Project, Crusoe Osagie, has criticized the Labour Party candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election, Olumide Akpata for peddling what he described as falsehood on national television, noting that such acts won’t get the candidate to Government House.
Osagie said Akpata, who participated in a program on a national television station on Thursday evening, was unable to answer questions on key areas of development, notably on electricity and agriculture.
According to him, “We watched the outing of the Labour Party candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election, Olumide Akpata, where he fumbled with basic data on the developmental trends in Edo State, showcasing his unpreparedness for governance and leadership.
“Akpata, who participated in a show on a national television station on Thursday evening, was unable to answer questions on key areas of development, notably on electricity and agriculture.
“What stood out glaringly from his conversation was the fact that he maintained that he was ‘still working on the numbers’ and ‘still crunching the numbers’ when he was asked to provide data on how he intends to handle the development of the electricity and agriculture sectors of the State.
“Even when he went specific, he provided specious explanations on how he intends to fix electricity in the State. When compared against reality, it became obvious that Akpata is either not prepared for leadership or he is out to take the people of Edo State for a ride.
“His attempts to sound coherent were betrayed by the fact that his projects were far below the current level of development of the State’s electricity market. For instance, the State currently generates over 145MW of power through private power generating companies used in powering industries in the State. Some of the companies actively generating power include Ossiomo Power Company, Duport Energy Park and Dangote Cement. Aside from these, Azura generates over 500MW which is sent to the National Grid.”
He further stated, “The State Government has also introduced the Renewable Power Initiative in collaboration with private players, which is powering communities with mini-power grids. A number of communities have started enjoying the scheme and a state-wide roll-out is underway.
“Throughout the 30-minute showtime, Akpata was more fixated on an alleged N16bn Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds due to the State monthly, highlighting an increase in revenue. Pray tell, how can the State’s revenue with commensurate increase in economic and productive activity. It is clear that Akpata does not have the faintest idea of what it takes to run a government. A serious candidate should rather be focused on how to diversify the government’s earnings so as to boost the government’s capacity to deliver good governance to the people. It also unfortunately shows the lack of creativity in thinking.
“It is also laughable that Akpata would bandy the false narrative that Edo State has not attracted any foreign investment in the last eight years. This is a blatant lie. Edo has attracted investments in manufacturing and agriculture from foreign companies in the last eight years under Governor Godwin Obaseki. This includes the 6600 barrels per day (bpd) modular refinery developed in partnership with China’s State oil corporation, SINOPEC and a $250m oil palm project being developed by Fayus Corp, a Sacramento-based company, in the United States. Ossiomo Power Company was also executed in partnership with CCETC Clean Energy Company, a Chinese-based gas power generation company.
“Akpata flaunts polls conducted by hungry social media bloggers, as sure path to winning the elections in the State. Laughable!!! If he was a serious candidate, he would know better than to rubbish his candidature with such unserious and dishonourable materials.”
Osagie said, “It is also insensitive for Akpata to dismiss the agitation by Esan people of Edo Central Senatorial District over the clamour for power shift to the senatorial district for equity and fairness. His argument that zoning should be a party affair is disingenuous and callous.
“Akpata should rather work to fix the numerous crisis in the Labour Party in the State so that they can properly function as a serious opposition party instead of this unfortunate show of shame.”
He added, “Edo people are wise and conscientious and will come out on September 21 to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to continue on the path of prosperity and progress of the State.”
