The Edo State Government has expressed its discontent with the response of the Federal Government to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s comments on President Bola Tinubu’s economic policy.
In a press conference held in Benin on Thursday, Obaseki stated that the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms implemented during Tinubu’s administration have caused increased hardships for Nigerians.
Reacting to Obaseki’s statements, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, accused Obaseki of diverting attention from his alleged poor performance as governor. They further claimed that Governor Obaseki has been absent from the National Economic Council (NEC) meetings under Tinubu’s administration.
In response, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, released a statement on Sunday, criticizing the Federal Government for attempting to silence its citizens, including a popularly elected governor, from speaking truth to power amidst these challenging times.
“The claim that the governor failed to attend NEC meetings is blatantly false. The records are there to prove this fact,” Nehikhare stated.
