Emmanuel OchayiThe Federal Government has urged the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki to prioritize development over constantly criticizing the Federal government.
In a surprising turn of events, the federal government’s message to Governor Godwin Obaseki seemed almost like a friendly nudge, urging him to shift his attention from political jabs to more constructive pursuits.
The recent verbal showdown was quite a spectacle. Obaseki took the stage, his words echoing with concern for the hardship faced by Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange reforms initiated by President Tinubu.
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In his own words, “Now subsidy is gone, the exchange rate is being aligned. The consequence is that the weakest and most vulnerable in the country will carry a huge part of the burden of these policies.” A candid expression of worry, indeed.
But then, a plot twist. The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, entered the scene armed with a statement that was more measured than defensive. He, with a tone that seemed almost like a seasoned professor, gently reminded Obaseki that there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
“While it is common for leaders to have divergent views, it’s crucial to align criticism with reality and to premise discourse on tangible results,” Idris responded, his words laced with an air of wisdom. It was almost as if he was holding out an olive branch wrapped in economic facts.
And oh, the facts he presented! Idris painted a canvas where global institutions like the World Bank and IMF stood alongside various economic experts, all advocating the removal of subsidy that Obaseki criticised.
His argument was clear: the burden of this subsidy had weighed heavily on Nigeria’s economy for quite some time. Idris then skillfully turned the spotlight back to Edo, under Obaseki’s stewardship. A dash of positive reinforcement.
He pointed out that the state had reaped some benefits from the subsidy removal, with the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) pouring in more funds between June and July 2023.
The political arena, ever-shifting and unpredictable, had witnessed a brief but intriguing drama. The federal government’s voice seemed more mentor than a critic, guiding Obaseki’s focus toward the practical and tangible betterment of the Edo people.
In response, the governor might just decide to put his energies into shaping a better future, rather than dwelling in the arena of finger-pointing politics.
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