CHRIS AGBOBU: BETWEEN FALSEHOOD AND STATESMANSHIP

Chief Enuha had opined that Dr. Okowa’s administration was a total disappointment, a ridicule and an outright disgrace to the Anioma nation

By Smart Ajaja, Martin Nwaokobi and Fusia Ofuasia

Nigeria, August 5, 2016 – If beggars believe that at a time, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is apologising to Nigerians for ruining the nation, Chief Chris Agbobu of Delta state PDP and a former Minister of Defence has chosen the path of a lap dog at his age. What people do, especially as elder statesmen is to declare the truth. But not Chief Agbobu.

He has shirked his responsibilities to not only his local government, Aniocha South, but to Anioma nation and the whole of Delta state by taking a swipe at the well respected Chief Hyacinth Enuha who merely exercised his rights to free speech by holding to account the lack-lustre government in Delta state.

Every citizen, both young and old, has the constitutional mandate to speak as they deem fit, regarding the services or lack of it, from those they have elected or as the custom is in Delta state, those that imposed themselves on the people of the state. That’s all Chief Hyacinth Enuha did.

Chief Enuha is a noble man, brave and courageous. It takes honour and strength of Character for a man to walk away from PDP in its heydays when they held sway over the nation and mercilessly, at his state level, shared the revenue that accrued to all Deltans among themselves.

A look at Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, etc, would easily confirm the observations of Chief Enuha. Chief Enuha had opined that Dr. Okowa’s administration was a total disappointment, a ridicule and an outright disgrace to the Anioma nation.

Rightly so as many Anioma people clamoured for an Anioma born governor, hoping that such a one, would make a difference in the lives of Deltans. There are no signs that this would be the case.

Chief Enuha further described the people of Anioma as a people of integrity, dedication and diligence adding that Anioma people are known for high performance operations. Like the responsible elder he is, Chief Enuha however commended all Deltans for their understanding and patience, while pleading with them not to lose their patience with the Anioma-born Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Chief Enuha also, apologised to the Delta State Civil Servants who are bearing the brunt of the sin they didn’t commit through non-payment of salaries.

Chief Enuha is not alone in this opinion. Some weeks back, Engr. Victor Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and prominent former PDP chieftain in the state was blunt.

The opposition in Delta state will do its job of holding the Delta state government to Account as constructively as Chief Enuha has done

He said, “We must say here and now that of a truth PDP is miles away from good governance in Delta State and the time to face reality is now. We truly share the views of the vast majority of Deltans which is, that PDP cannot provide the needed leadership and not capable of delivering the dividends of democracy.

“16 years of PDP’s failure in Delta is no joke and our people are groaning and yearning for CHANGE, development and good governance”

This is from a PDP insider, who has, over the last few months, fled the stench that is the Delta state PDP. Edo state government does not receive as high a revenue as Delta state but is able to pay salaries. Aniocha South, Chris Agbobu’s and Chief Enuha’s immediate constituency, while owing salaries, found it convenient, to allegedly dole out substantial amount of cash for frivolities. Talk of misplacement of priorities! Salary arrears, running into months, are yet to be paid.

It’s also common knowledge that Deltans are disappointed at the level of performance of Dr Okowa’s administration. They are also alleging that the only shuffle in Governor Okowa’s government, can be seen only in his local government area, where, again it’s being alleged that he is using state funds to implement Constituency Projects he was paid for, when he was a Senator.

There’s hardship everywhere and Deltans understand the situation facing them. Deltans understand that Dr Okowa inherited at the state level, what President Muhammadu Buhari inherited in a higher proportion at the national level. The difference here is that Dr. Okowa has been part of the decay in Delta State.

Consequently, while probes are on-going at the federal level and funds are being recovered by President Buhari, Dr Okowa has called on the laudable steps of the federal government in fighting corruption, to cease, essentially becoming the mouth piece of pro corruption league in Nigeria.

In effect, he clearly told Deltans he was not willing to recover any stolen funds from Delta State looters. He eminently became the official voice of anti War Against Corruption (WAC). This means that the people of Delta state, continue to be losers as no effort is being made to recover the billions, if not more, in looted funds and abandoned projects that were fully paid for.

Corruption is the reason Delta state remains a backward state. Deltans are therefore, still in shock that Gov. Okowa called on the Federal government to stop the war on corruption. While salaries remain unpaid and corruption goes unchecked, Delta state is plotting another looting extravaganza in the name of celebrating the Anniversary of the creation of Delta State.

Had Chief Agbobu, a nominal member of the Okowa appointed 30-man Advisory/Peace Building Council stopped with chief Enuha, his rant would not have merited a response. But it seems his amnesia needs some doses of the truth pill to awaken him and jag him to reality. Like that, he will realise that as a member of this committee, his role is at par with that of an attack dog.

Forgetting so soon and reaching out to castigate the government of President Buhari that is busy, clearing and cleaning the mess left by Agbobu’s PDP is to say the least, abhorrent. In 2003, four years into the reign of PDP, Chuef Agbobu decried the dilapidated facilities at the Nigerian Navy. What did you do about it? Nothing, I dare say. President Buhari is fixing that dilapidation you spoke about, 13 years ago.

You Chief Agbobu, went on to acquire at least four buildings, excluding a rental space at the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA yard, where you have continued to reap what belongs to all Deltans and Nigerians. We shall be officially, asking the authorities to look into how you served in the Ministry of Defence and what you sold to acquire all you did. For a man Chief Tony Anenih said he overrated, you have done well for yourself at the detriment of the Nigerian people.

That you, Chris Agbobu, has now become a bag carrier for a certain Ada Anioma (Not Lauretta Onochie), is one thing, but to be pushed to become an attack dog, is another. You shame Anioma people who have been at the bottom of the ladder of Delta state development. Try comparing Uyo and Asaba and bury your head in shame.

Remember the humanitarian crises the government of President Buhari is grappling with today in the North East? Do you know how we came to have Nigerian refugees in Nigeria? It’s your PDP and the irresponsible leadership it provided for our nation. The same you are still carrying on in Delta state. Well, President Buhari’s government is fixing that too.

Under your PDP and your watch in the Ministry of Agriculture, huge resources was expended in the importation of rice for local consumption and PDP’s Stomach Infrastructure. At no time did it occur to you and yours that Nigeria could gradually become self sufficient in food production. Well, President Buhari-led government is also fixing that.

Now let’s talk about roads. Under your PDP, roads across the nation became death traps. Farmers went through hell, evacuating their produce from their farms.

The East West road, the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, the Enugu Port Harcourt, etc are some of the roads PDP bequeathed to Pres. Buhari. The roads are receiving attention as we write.

That you, Chris Agbobu, has now become a bag carrier for a certain Ada Anioma (Not Lauretta Onochie), is one thing, but to be pushed to become an attack dog, is another. You shame Anioma people who have been at the bottom of the ladder of Delta state development. Try comparing Uyo and Asaba and bury your head in shame

You have been appointed as a member of a peace committee but you have left your brief, and are now competing with Ifeanyi Osuoza in unreasonabilty. Hilarious and Putrefying!

It’s common to see those who have served under the suffocating PDP era and who have skeletons in their cupboards to begin to attack the government of President Buhari. Who is setting you up? Who is overrating you as Chief Anenih did before he discovered your capacity was only in running a bukateria?

It’s common knowledge that PDP underdeveloped Delta state. Well meaning Deltans are joining forces in the state. It will no longer be business as usual. The opposition in Delta state will do its job of holding the Delta state government to Account as constructively as Chief Enuha has done.

Chief Enuha has set the tone and he deserves your commendation. We will not demand it. It’s your choice. If you are too enmeshed in the mess in Delta state to speak up, then you must look away when courageous elders do. What you sow is what you will reap.

***Ajaja, Nwaokobia & Ofuasia, contributed this piece on behalf of Concerned Anioma Patriots