Timothy Omobude 
Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki and his PDP-led government over an alleged failure to find a lasting solution to regular fire incidents which ravage major markets in Benin City, the Edo State capital, particularly at the end of the year.
The criticism was made by Mr. John Mayaki, the Chairman of the Edo Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, in a Wednesday statement in which he accused the Obaseki-administration of “unconscionable negligence, especially on the issue of incessant fire incidents reducing people’s livelihoods and means of economic survival to ashes.”
His statement came after another fire incident was recorded at the new Lagos Street market, after similar disasters at the Oba market, Ekiosa market, and Santana market.
He said, “Every December, innocent women and traders in Edo State are made to suffer the terrible tragedy of seeing their life investments, and possibly sole means of economic survival, destroyed by fire outbreaks enabled by the negligence and irresponsibility of the state government.”
“What is most troubling is that these incidents have followed the same pattern within the life of the hapless Obaseki-administration, with no serious or proactive response from the government despite the heavy toll on the well-being of ordinary citizens, including market women who form the lifeblood of Edo State’s commerce.”
Mayaki questioned why the Obaseki-administration is ever so eager to exact high taxes on the citizens without providing the requisite public services expected of any responsible government to the people.
“It appears this administration, in keeping with the PDP’s approach of milking people and state without any tangible investment in public services and infrastructure, is only interested in raising and withdrawing taxes, without doing anything to help the people.”
Whilst commiserating with the victims, he urged them to punish the PDP with their votes in 2023 and “set Edo on a recourse of renewal beginning with the election of Tinubu at the top of the ballot, and candidates of the APC contesting state and federal elections in the state.”
His criticism comes after Godwin Obaseki came under fire for his perceived unaccountable management of the 13% oil derivation fund paid to the oil-generating states by the APC-led FG. Governor Obaseki and other PDP Governors had refused to disclose the payment before a revelation by Nyesom Wike of Rivers forced them to reluctantly acknowledge receipts.
According to Mayaki, “the shameful episode marks an important contrast between the APC and PDP. While we in the APC are committed to responsible governance and a collective approach to development that is devoid of destructive opposition politics, they in the PDP only know how to dodge responsibilities and render excuses to the people when confronted with indicting evidence of their non-transparency.”
