THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has faulted the choice of a former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as guest speaker at a national anti-corruption stakeholders’ summit, accusing the EFCC of shielding the former governor.
The party stated that Oshiomhole has over 15 pending petitions with the anti-corruption agency, pointing out that the seminar was coming at a time the former governor reported to have boasted that nothing will come out of the petition written against him because of his personal relationship with the acting EFCC chairman and the APC federal government.
In a press statement signed by publicity secretary of the party in the state, Chris Nehikhare, the PDP stated that the country still has a long way to go in the fight against corruption, adding that the invitation is akin to inviting the “devil to give a talk on holiness and sainthood”.
He said, “Edo people and indeed Nigerians are watching this drama with great trepidation. We challenge Oshiomole conscience and moral right to speak at an anti-corruption platform of any kind.
“Oshiomole has till this moment not told Edo people about the $54m he collected from the federal government in December 2014. It is alleged that he pocketed that money. Edo people and Nigerians only got to hear of that money because NNPC books were audited.
“How do you explain Oshiomole’s acquired estates valued at over N150 billion from the back drop of his earnings as Secretary General of Tailoring Union, through his time as Labour union President and as Governor of Edo state.
“Concerned Edo Stakeholders have written several petitions on this matter with boxes load of vouchers and documents of how Oshiomole and his gang, now referred to as Ali Baba and the 40 thieves’ looted Edo State and even pointed EFCC in the direction of some of the proceeds of the loot!
“The only good thing that can come out of the just concluded seminar is for Oshiomole to submit himself for full scale investigation or arrested and we will avail the commission with relevant documents to prove the case against him.”
The party added that there cannot be a better way to start the anti-corruption war than inviting Oshiomole to answer for his financial crime against the state.
and then