N200m mansion: PDP asks Edo gov not to assent bill

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has described as satanic an amendment to the Edo Pension Law for former Governors and their Deputies, which among other benefits, approved N200 million worth of house to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and N100m house to his former deputy, Dr Pius Odubu.

The PDP called on Governor Godwin Obaseki not be cowed to assenting the bill, challenging him to demonstrate his avowed commitment to the welfare of the Edo people

The party also challenged Obaseki to disclose to Edo people the state of state treasury inherited from former governor Oshiomhole in the spirit of accountability and probity, adding that such is the usual practice in other states and Edo must not be an exception.

Chairman of the party in Edo State, Dan Orbih, while addressing journalists in Benin on Tuesday, said such request coming at a time when hundreds of pensioners who have retired from the state civil service were yet to be paid their entitlements, was a clear demonstration of the insensitivity on the part of the APC-led government in the state.

Orbih said: “It is shameful and disgraceful to note that a former labourleader could go the way of Oshiomhole. How can a man who served the state for eight years and at the end of eight years has a guaranteed pay package of his full salaries for the rest of his life, three official vehicles of his choice, two cooks, a personal assistance and on top of this, he is going to get a house valued at N200 million?

“To me, those who are looking for a living example of greed need not look further; they should take Oshiomhole as a classic example of what greed is all about.

“What is more troublesome outside the known package is that the man who took over office from Oshiomhole has not been able to move into his official quarters, because even the carpet on the ground was moved and the entire house was stripped bare.”