A leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Mr. John Mayaki, has lambasted the Edo Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, over his alleged silence on the daring bank robbery incident that claimed multiple lives in the Uromi area of the state last Thursday.
Residents are still counting the cost of the incident, which lasted over two hours, as robbers armed with explosives and other sophisticated weapons appeared to move from bank to bank, stealing cash and other valuables, while also shooting in several directions, killing and injuring many in the process.
It is alleged that despite the local and national outrage that greeted the incident, particularly over the failure of the security agencies to respond at the scene for over two hours, during which the criminal operation reportedly lasted, the Obaseki-led state government is yet to release an official statement either to commiserate with victims or calm the agitated residents.
Mr. Mayaki, a leader of the APC and media stalwart, has condemned the silence as “callous” and a “continuation of the Governor’s irresponsible trend of turning a blind eye to the people’s suffering and daily manifestations of his inept management of the state.”
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His statement, released to newsmen on Friday evening, read in part: “What we have in Edo State today is a lethal combination of an inept administration led by a callous and unfeeling man.”
“Despite his loud and propagandistic overtures to the people when, two years ago, he sought their votes, he has since slithered into his impregnable abode in Osadebey Avenue, taking no interest in governance and state matters, and turning a blind eye to the people’s sufferings and daily manifestations of his failure.”
“It is unconscionable that more than 24 hours since the unfortunate robbery incident that claimed multiple lives in Uromi and has crippled activities in the area, the people are yet to hear from their so-called leader.”
“It is a democratic fact that in times of such crisis and tragedy, citizens look to their elected representatives for words of succor and reassurance. Mr. Godwin Obaseki has offered none to the state, continuing his legacy of hiding away when it matters, and leaving the people to their fate in the face of avoidable hardship and sorrow wrought by his inability to lead.”
“He has no answers to queries on why the incident came only days after he purportedly unleashed 180 security personnel into the forest with the mandate of weeding out criminals, and how this grand plan that took two years failed before it even started.”
“My sympathies are with the people of Uromi and the entire Esanland who are the primary victims of this unfortunate tragedy.”
“In the absence of any organised government in the state, and the refusal of the governor to contribute to security and safety despite drawing a huge bill in security votes, it has now fallen on the people to find ways to secure their lives and properties from rampaging criminals, who are encouraged and emboldened by Mr. Obaseki’s irresponsibility.”
