The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on his statements regarding the security situation in the state, noting that he was speaking out of ignorance, inexperience and rage.
The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Osa Nehikhare, in a statement, said that the comments by Ize-Iyamu betray his inexperience about governance, noting that security issues are delicate and not items with which to play to the gallery.
“The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration is confronting a security challenge that is ravaging the entire country and the governor has shown grace, commitment and tact in handling the peculiar situation we have in Edo State. There is no denying that the security situation is challenging, but the state government has committed material and human resources to tackle the situation headlong and we are seeing the results by the day,” Nehikhare said.
“The efforts being made are strategic and are not things to put out in the public at every turn. There is a method to secure communication and it is not a task to be driven by propaganda and unwarranted posturing. The governor is dealing with intelligence from a joint task force, which he continues to meet at regular intervals. Some of the intelligence gathered is being deployed in bursting criminal hideouts, apprehending criminals and safeguarding the people,” he said.
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Nehikhare said the comments from Ize-Iyamu and his team are not unexpected as it goes to show how inexperienced they are and why they would continue to be on the back foot in terms of strategic planning and handling of the delicate matter of public safety and security.
“The governor has been quite alive to his duties and invited senior officers of 2 Division Nigerian Army to support and boost the morale of the joint operation in the state. They have reinforced the 10 pm curfew, burst criminal hideouts, apprehended kidnapping syndicates and gradually restoring order in the state. The governor has also provided support to the two Federal Correctional Centres that were attacked when hoodlums hijacked the #EndSARS protests in the state. The engagements are still ongoing,” he said.
The Edo PDP publicity secretary said the statement by Ize-Iyamu and his team can only come from a group of people that have fallen out of favour with the people.
“Their inexperience and lack of tact goes way back and shows why they will continue to fail. Edo people know that they are only out to make irresponsible statements to procure cheap sympathy. This is why the statement is not only irresponsible but coming from deep-seated rage over their recent loss,” he said.
