Former Edo State Governor and ex‑National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has criticized his successor, Godwin Obaseki, for calling for the arrest of individuals he alleges instigated last week’s protests over the new naira notes. Speaking to journalists in Benin City on Saturday, Oshiomhole said Obaseki lacks the authority to order the detention of a citizen and warned that such powers could be abused by state governors, fueling public reservations about state police.
“The law is very clear,” Oshiomhole asserted. “If a crime has been committed, it is up to the security agencies to investigate. If they find a need to summon people for questioning, they will do so. The police have not, and I would be surprised if they now take orders from a politician facing a crisis of confidence while the people are voting against him.” He added that the legitimacy of Obaseki’s government is in question and that the governor appears to believe he can command the police to arrest political opponents.
Oshiomhole accused Obaseki of double standards, saying the governor says one thing one day and does another the next. He recalled Obaseki’s earlier criticism of Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, accusing him of printing billions of naira for distribution to states via the federation account and warning that such policies would destroy the currency, even as Emefiele admitted the money was being shared with state governments. “Now, wanting to profit from this hardship, Obaseki has become a pro‑CBN governor defending anti‑people policies, assuming Edo people cannot distinguish right from wrong,” Oshiomhole said.
Regarding the new naira controversy, Oshiomhole expressed sympathy for those suffering during the campaign period, noting that he has never hesitated to denounce the challenges and will continue to do so because it is not an APC policy. He concluded that it is inappropriate for Obaseki, despite his high office, to make allegations without presenting any evidence.
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