2015: Edo PDP lawmakers raise alarm over hike in Oshiomhole’s security vote

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The request for an increase in Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s security vote from N4.8 billion to N5.2 billion have set Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the state House of Assembly on edge.

The lawmakers raised alarm and expressed worries that such move was close to plunging back the finance of the state into the abyss ahead of next year general election if necessary steps were not taken by stakeholders.

Speaker of the House, Festus Ebea dropped the hint while summing up debate on the motion of matters of urgent public importance by the House Leader, Emmanuel Okoduwa on Monday.

Governor Oshiomhole had presented an estimated sum of N156.551 billion as the 2015 Bill tagged: “budget of consolidation’’ to All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers for consideration last Tuesday at the old Legislative chamber in Government House.

Ebea described the action of the Governor as a nullity and premature with a caution on colleagues to use the public holiday to properly scrutinize the content of the Bill.

“Edo people should know how the N4.8 billion so called security vote the Governor has being enjoying this year which he has now move to N5.2 billion, he had explanation to make to Edo people.

“I urge all my colleagues to prepare your minds that when we come back from the Independence break and the Muslims holidays, we are going to take a critical look at that so-called appropriation document he (Oshiomhole) submitted to his co-travellers.

“It is a shame that instead of telling us how this ongoing appropriation has performed for the betterment of Edo people; he quickly rushed in to quickly see how he can get his own before the demise of APC. We will not accept it, Edo people will not accept it.

“Why the hurry, this question is on the lips of every well-meaning Edo person and of course Nigerians who are onlookers to the drama or comedy going on in Government House between the Comrade Governor and the so-called APC legislators and 14 of them in that matter.

“Edo people have never had it so good that in September when the Governor in his usual tradition is asking for supplementary appropriation, he quickly rushed in a hurry with his co-travellers in APC.