...says Godwin Obaseki and Asue Ighodalo's Abuse of Power and Misgovernance prompted his action.
I, a Supernumerary Chief Superintendent of Police and South South Zonal Organizing Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, write to tender an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police over my inappropriate conduct in addressing the press on the forthcoming September 21st Edo Gubernatorial election in the uniform of the Nigeria Police Force which allegedly embarrassed the high command of the Police Force.
Whilst the alleged embarrassment is unintended and deeply regretted, I posit that the views expressed in the media interview were not that of Nigeria Police Force but my personal opinion justified within the context of my constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of speech and association.
As a lawyer, journalist, pro-democracy campaigner and human rights crusader committed to the ideals of deepening democratic values, social justice and good governance, I am pained by the increasing assault on the sanctity of our democracy and human rights by the Obaseki led government, particularly the recent cold blooded murder of Inspector Anu Akoh, a police officer attached to the APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo by the armed thugs of Godwin Obaseki and the recent mindless and brutal attack of harmless members of APC in Ekpoma by The Chairman of Esan West Local Government Council, and decided to alert Edo people, Nigerians and the International Community of the danger that Governor Obaseki poses to the security, well being and democratic order of our dear state and why Obaseki and his god son, Asue Ighodalo should be rejected at the poll.
In the feat of my emotions generated by the conduct of Godwin Obaseki and the monster that he has become, I forgot inadvertently that I was dressed in the Police Uniform as a Supernumerary Chief Superintendent whilst the interview lasted.
I am a noble, humble, honourable, pationate and patriotic citizen of Nigeria. Besides being a Supernumerary Police Officer, I am Chairman of the Board of LAWSAN, a member of Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, a member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, a member of Nigerian Union of Journalists, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, a member of the African Bar Association, a member of the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association, a member of the International Institute of Professional Security, a member of the Institute of Chartered Forensic and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria, a member of the Citizens For Peace and First Aid Mission of Nigeria and many other patriotic associations in my concerted efforts to actively make my contributions to the development, peace and security of our motherland.
I have committed my life to the activities of nation building by helping Nigerians and Nigeria, hence I joined all these organizations, associations and the Supernumerary Police Division of the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and national security of the nation, protect critical national assets, and support good governance and values that will help build a better nation where Nigerians will find peace and prosperity.
I find it difficult to fold my hands and close my eyes to the atrocities of Godwin Obaseki and Asue Ighodalo. Among other matters, is it right for the Candidate of PDP, Asue Ighodalo who is the Chairman of Edo State Economic Team to collect from Edo State Treasury the sum of One Billion Eigth Hundred Million Naira (N1,800,000.000.00) through Banwo and Ighodalo while many Edo workers are crying of hunger?
I will continue to stand against the massive corruption and incompetence of the Edo State government under Godwin Obaseki as Governor and Asue Ighodalo as Chairman of Edo State Economic Team which has seen them wasting Edo people's resources and finances amounting to about Three Trillion Naira (N3,000,000,000.000.00) on fraudulent Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with nothing to show for the money spent, and Mr Godwin still having the shameless boldness to make inflammatory comments that Edo State and Nigeria would burn if his front and godson, Asue Ighodalo is not elected in the forthcoming election, and a threat which has been followed by his decision that their party's candidate refusing to sign the peace accord before the election. Should a Chief Security Officer of a State be allowed to behave in this manner?
Denigrating the reverend Cultural Heritage and Institution of the Benin people, running his first term in office with a fake assembly, acquiring landed property of Edo people without compensation, several months of unpaid pensions and allowances of retired and serving lecturers in the state owned Ambrose Alli University, massive insecurity in Edo state which has led to total breakdown of economic activities and the attendant deaths, poverty, despondency and hopelessness in the promising state under the watch and supervision of the People's Democratic Party Candidate, Asue Ighodalo who serves as the economic adviser to the state government is an aberration.
As a lawyer, journalist, social engineer and minister in the temple of justice, I couldn't close my eyes to the sorry state of affairs in my beloved state.
As the South South Zonal Organising Secretary of the APC, I urge Edo electorates to throw their weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Unlike Asue Ighodalo who is Godwin Obaseki's puppet and front, Monday Okpebholo is the only candidate without a godfather, and the candidate who can guarantee humble and sacrificial leadership, good governance, equity, fairness and justice to all Edo people, and will ensure that Edo State gets out of its current quagmire by aligning with the government at the centre for the overall well-being and prosperity of Edo people.
I also seize this medium to solicit the incoming Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, that when elected and sworn in, he should form an all inclusive government, unite all Edo people, engage all the good hands and brains from the APC, PDP and LP and Edo Community at large as all Edo people from all the political divides have agreed to vote for him as the next Governor of Edo State, so that all Edo people will have the opportunities to contribute to their common good.
God bless Edo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Dr. Blessing Agbomhere Esq.,
BCC, ACIArb., AICMC, MCFCFI,
HDJ, PGD-PRA, APD-SMSO, LL.B,
South-South Zonal Organizing Secretary,
All Progressives Congress.