Peter Obi Washes Hands Off Obiano’s Scandalous, Failed Gov’t

The former governor of Anambra State, Mr Gregory Peter Obi has excused himself from the failed governance style of the state government under the leadership of Governor willie Obiano.

Mr Obi said this in a short essay titled “Leave Obi Out Of Obiano’s Matter”, written by his personal aide Mr Valentine Obienyem.

Mr Obienyem in the essay reacted to the charges posed by Civil Liberties Organization of Nigeria (CLO) in the state demanding explanations on some policies paraded by Governor Obiano.

He said: “What you will read after this explanatory paragraph from me is the publication from the Civil Liberties Organization of Nigeria (CLO), asking, from the nature of the questions, Mr. Peter Obi and Chief Willie Obiano to explain questions 1 to 12.  

“It is better you read those questions to the end. 

“As a matter of fact, Obi handed over to Obiano and had his detailed stewardship in paper and ink. Those questions are better directed at the man in office now. 

“If the man in office raises questions that affect Obi, that is when Obi should be called for further explanation. 

“I therefore think it is wrong for some of the questions to be pointedly directed at Obi,” he posited.

He then reproduced the CLO publication for perusal of his readers as follows:

CIVIL LIBERTIES ORGANISATION (CLO) SOUTH EAST ZONE MEETS IN ANAMBRA, APPRAISES SITUATIONS IN THE ZONE AND RAISES 12 SALIENT QUESTIONS BORDERING ON ACCOUNTABILITY DEMANDING PUBLIC ANSWERS FROM THE PAST AND PRESENT GOVTS IN ANAMBRA

Members of the Zonal Management Committee (ZMC) of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), South-East Zone met in Awka, Anambra State during the weekend .In attendance, were Chairman and Secretaries of the CLO in the five states of the South East with the Zonal Chair who presided the meeting. In our tradition during our quarterly meetings, several issues affecting the zone in the areas of good governance, human rights and socio-political developments were discussed.

We reaffirmed our commitment to raising the quality of governance in the South-East through promotion of truthfulness, transparency and accountability amongst public office holders.

The CLO called the attention of the Federal Government to the continued brazen marginalization of the South East Zone in the allocation of human and material resources in Nigeria against the provisions of equity, fairness and Federal Character Principle.

We also rejected the present deployment of security forces and militarization of the south east most especially Abia and Anambra States by the FG under the guise of checkmating the excesses of pro Biafran groups. 

We also condemned the killings, torture, invasion of private homes and other degrading treatments meted on citizens in Abia State.

The CLO also urged the Governors of the South East to thread with caution over the proscription of IPOB activities in the Zone. 

The Governors should explore options of dialogue with any agitating group while they should show serious commitment to the welfare and development of the region.

The CLO also condemned in strong terms the demolition of the ancient Ekeukwu market, Owerri by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State despite a subsisting court order. Most painfully was the attendant loss of lives that trailed the exercise.

In the area of political developments, Anambra State whose governorship election is slated for November 18, 2017 is in the front burner. 

The CLO called for peaceful, free, fair and credible election and urged all gladiators to do the right things at all times. Let campaigns be issue based and not mudslinging.

The CLO is also closely monitoring governance in the South East and before the next election in Anambra State, we deemed it very necessary to raise Twelve (12) critical questions bordering on accountability which both serving and former administration in the state need to answer and clarify to the public.

As we ask these 12 questions which are in the public domain, may other Governments and administrations in the South East Zone have it in mind that we are also monitoring their performances and shall come up too with appropriate questions for them at the appropriate time.

1. FUND REALEASED BY FG FOR OKO-NANKA EROSION CONTROL:

One of the most devastating erosion sites in Africa today is the Oko-Nanka Erosion menace, which is presently threatening to sweep away the Igwe’s palace and other houses around the area. 

This dangerous terrain drew the official visits of President Shehu Shagari and subsequent heads of governments. 

Under President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal government, working through the APGA government of Anambra State, decided to award a contract to effectively control the environmental hazard. This contract was valued at between 18 and 20 billion Naira. 

The FGN went further to release a 10 percent of the total contract take-off, amounting to 2 billion Naira, with firm promises to follow with releases of the remaining 90 percent on commencement and subsequent progress. 

Till date nobody can account for this 2 billion and the contract has neither been procured nor awarded.

Can the former APGA governor Mr. Peter Obi and present APGA Gov. Willie Obiano tell the public, whereabouts of this money as well as the stage of this contract?

2. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs) ACCOUNT:

At the beginning of 2014, Millennium Development Goals, MDGs Anambra State Account had a set aside sum of over 4 billion Naira for MDG projects, especially for Secondary School education and improvement of health facilities, including those of the Missionary.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and the incumbent Gov. Willie Obiano enlighten and disclose to the public what this sum was used for?

3. UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION (UBEC) ACCOUNT:

By the end of 2013, Anambra State had over 1.7 billion Naira and over 2 billion Naira respectively in UBEC Account 1 and UBEC Account 2. Releases since then to schools and churches show a very significant shortfall, implying either or both APGA governments misappropriated the funds.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and incumbent Gov. Willie Obiano disclose to the public what happened to these funds?

4. THE SUBSIDY REINVESTMENT AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME (SURE-P) ACCOUNT:

Under the administration of Mr. Peter Obi, the Federal Government, via SURE-P, released about 5 billion Naira as Subsidy Funds to Anambra State. 

This was to be used strictly for developmental purposes. Subsequent subsidy funds were equally released to the Gov Willie Obiano administration for development of the State. 

There is no trace of such SURE-P-aided developmental projects in the state.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and the Present Gov. Willie Obiano explain publicly what happened to these funds meant for development?

5. 75 BILLION NAIRA HANDED OVER:

APGA government under Mr. Peter Obi claimed to have left 75 billion Naira in cash and investments. Part of this money include a specifically mentioned156 million dollars (presently over 56 billion Naira at official rate). 

More significantly, this amount was understood to have been made as future savings for the state at a minimum rate of 6 percent.

As at the end of August 2017, analysts say the state has received a total coupon so far of 41 Million Dollars (15 Billion Naira), while total accrued Coupon is 2 Million Dollars (827 Million Naira), and the entire portfolio value is now 199 Million Dollars (73 Billion Naira). 

There has been denials and secrecy surrounding this handover and savings so far.

We challenge both former Gov. Peter Obi and present Gov. Willie Obiano to tell the public the true positions of these claims

6. SECURITY VOTES:

Since 2006, APGA governments in Anambra have claimed over a billion Naira (12 billion Naira annually) as Security Votes for their Governors and over 200 million Naira (2.4 billion Naira annually) for the First Ladies’ office. 

Both amounting to 14.4 billion Naira annually and representing over 20 percent of the annual budget and in relation to income, the highest in Security Votes of all the states in the country. 

Significantly, Health and Education combined receive about 50 percent of this Security Votes sum. Recently, Lagos State government that receives over 50 billion Naira as monthly revenue showed it spent N15 billion per annum as security votes, the highest it has spent in her history. 

Yet from calculations, it means Mr. Peter Obi collected about N100 billion Naira, while Gov Obiano has so far collected over 50 billion as Security Votes.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and present Gov. Willie Obiano explain these huge collections/investments on Security?

7. 5 MILLION DOLLARS VEGETABLE EXPORT:

APGA government in Anambra state widely publicised to Nigerians and the whole world that in efforts to generate extra revenue, it exported vegetables (ugu) worth over 5 million dollars (1.55 billion Naira at official rate) and the proceeds have assisted the finances of the state.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and present Gov. Willie Obiano show the public where these vegetables are being cultivated if it is true, show them the export proceeds and most importantly how the money realized was used for the good of the people of the State?

8. FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS:

APGA government under Mr. Peter Obi claimed that investments of over 1 billion dollars became operational during his eight-year tenure, while APGA under Gov. Willie Obiano claims that over 7.5 billion dollars became operational in less than 40 months.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and present Gov. Willie Obiano state these investments clearly and how operational they are. 

This has become necessary considering the classification of some states, including Anambra, in the recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as having not attracted any foreign direct investments in the last one year?

9. FGN CONTRACT REFUNDS:

It is in line that in order for any state government to get contract refund from the Federal Government, it is required that an approval before embarking on such projects must be got from the FG. (Gov Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State refused the commencement of the re-construction of the popular Airport Road in Lagos, dutifully waiting for the FG approval. 

Lagos has far more sources of revenue to have risked non-refund by going ahead without the approval). 

From Head Bridge, through Upper Iweka, Boromeo Roundabout, Nkpor flyover to Umunya, APGA under Mr. Peter Obi claims to have spent 15 billion Naira reconstructing the Federal Onitsha-Enugu Road. 

Similarly, the three flyovers in Awka under Obiano was said to have cost 15 billion Naira.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and present Gov. Willie Obiano state clearly the actual contract sums and if they got the Federal Government approval, which is the only guarantee for a refund, before embarking on those projects?

10. GODFATHERISM:

APGA’s Governor Willie Obiano allegedly has about 1000 aides, which he allegedly said that over 30 percent of the aides were from Mr. Peter Obi, the former APGA governor.

Can the former APGA Governor, Mr Peter Obi and present Gov. Willie Obiano tell the public the rationale for such number of appointments at huge cost to the State and also make a detailed public clarification on this?

11. BILLION NAIRA CAMPAIGN FUND

In line with same godfatherism, the APGA government of Gov Obiano claims his predecessor, Mr. Obi is demanding 7 billion refund as the campaign fund used to install him as governor. 

This has been further attributed as a source of dispute between both Excellencies.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and present Gov. Willie Obiano clarify to the public, the issue of 7 Billion Naira refund?

12. UMUERI AIRPORT PROJECT:

APGA government of Gov Obiano claim the 2.5 billion dollars’ worth of the Umueri Airport project already flagged off is keeping to the CONTUITY mantra since the APGA government of Mr. Obi had procured the approval from the FG before handing over the baton.

Can both former Gov. Peter Obi and present Gov. Willie Obiano clarify the need for this airport?

There is an urgent need to provide answers to these questions to the public while we shall ask more questions, all geared towards ensuring accountability and transparency in governance for the benefits of the people. We believe that public office holders and leaders should not be celebrated when they have questions to answer, bordering on their conduct while serving the people.

For the CLO South East Zone

Comrade Aloysius Attah Comrade (Barr) Pedro Azuogu

Chair CLO Southeast Zone Treasurer CLO Southeast Zone

Chair Abia State Branch

………………………… ……………………………

Comrade Paschal Oziri Comrade Vin Ezekwueme,

Chair , Imo State Branch Chair, Anambra State Br0anch

Vice Chair CLO Southeast Zone

……………………… …………………….

Comrade Chidi Mbah Comrade Ralph Eze

Sec. Anambra State Branch Chair, CLO Ebonyi State Branch

Comrade Zulu Ofoelue

Chair, CLO, Enugu State Branch

Comrade George Nwovu

Sec. CLO Ebonyi State Branch

Comrade Ogechi Uzoma

Sec. CLO, Imo State Branch

Comrade Ralph Odo

Sec. CLO, Enugu State Branch

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