Edo enjoyed better security than Anambra during Peter Obi’s tenure – Oshiomhole

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

The former governor also criticised opposition leaders, including Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for attacking President Bola Tinubu’s management of Nigeria’s security challenges without presenting what he described as workable alternatives.

Speaking during an appearance on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Oshiomhole argued that the roots of the country’s insecurity could be traced to the period when Atiku served as vice president.

He further accused Obi of failing to effectively address security concerns in Anambra State, particularly those linked to the Bakassi Boys vigilante group.

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In the interview, which was shared online on Sunday, the All Progressives Congress chieftain questioned Obi’s record on security, maintaining that the former Anambra governor was unable to rein in the Bakassi Boys, whose activities he said later contributed to widespread criminality, including kidnappings.

“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.

He recalled scenes of former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano deploying bulldozers to demolish properties allegedly connected to kidnappers and members of the Bakassi Boys, whom he claimed had become difficult to control during Obi’s administration.

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 senator further challenged Obi to provide detailed solutions to the country’s problems, saying political leaders must go beyond slogans and offer clear policy directions.

“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 optimism about President Bola Tinubu’s prospects in the next presidential election, saying he believes the President would secure re-election in 2027. Oshiomhole further predicted that Obi would be unable to match or surpass his performance in the 2023 presidential poll.

Oshiomhole served as governor of Edo State between 2008 and 2016, while Obi governed Anambra State from 2006 to 2014.