Edo was safer under me than Anambra under Peter Obi — Oshiomhole

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has claimed that Edo enjoyed better security during his administration than Anambra State did under former Governor Peter Obi.

The former governor made the remarks while speaking on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

Oshiomhole also criticised opposition leaders, including Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for attacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over insecurity without offering workable solutions to the country’s security challenges.

According to him, the roots of the country’s insecurity challenge could be traced to the period when Atiku served as vice president.

He also argued that Obi failed to effectively address insecurity in Anambra, particularly the activities of the Bakassi Boys vigilante group.

Oshiomhole questioned Obi’s record on security, alleging that the former Anambra governor was unable to rein in the Bakassi Boys, whose operations he said later contributed to rising cases of kidnapping and lawlessness in the state.

“Go back to Anambra State and play back. What were the first major decisions that Governor Obiano took when he succeeded Peter Obi as governor?” Oshiomhole said.

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He recalled actions taken by former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano after assuming office, including the demolition of properties allegedly linked to kidnappers and members of the Bakassi Boys.

Oshiomhole maintained that the vigilante group had become uncontrollable during Obi’s tenure.

Oshiomhole added, “Peter Obi could not fix security in Anambra State. It took the intervention of Governor Obiano, who took over from him, to begin to destroy the properties of those who he believed had used them for kidnapping… where wife kidnapped husband, husband kidnapped wife. It got to that level

“I was a governor then; my state was safer than Anambra.”

The lawmaker further challenged Obi to move beyond criticism and provide practical solutions to the country’s problems, saying public office holders and political leaders should offer clear alternatives rather than slogans.

“Everybody knows that things are not perfect, but a statesman must provide answers… We haven’t heard other than this buzzword, ‘do the right thing.’ What is the right thing? What is the left thing?” Oshiomhole asked.

He also expressed confidence that Tinubu would win re-election in 2027, insisting that Obi would be unable to match or surpass the number of votes he secured in the 2023 presidential election.