Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole says Nigerians are tired of the excuses of the Federal Government and are now yearning for change.
Speaking on Wednesday when over 3,000 members of the Edo State Welders Association paid him a thank-you visit at the Government House, Oshiomhole said in spite of the media hype from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government, about revolution in the agriculture sector, he was surprised to read in the newspapers that the country still imports rice.
“They say we are doing well in agriculture but we are importing rice and PDP says those who import rice have not paid export duties, so I ask, ‘what happened to the agricultural revolution we are celebrating’? Can you be importing what you are producing?
“Everywhere you turn to, it’s always excuses and that is why in Edo we have said it is about ‘eye-mark’, not ‘I shall’, but ‘I have’ and you can see it”, he said.
Speaking further, Oshiomole noted that “the issues in the forth coming election are between the forces of the status quo, business as usual continuing versus change.
“They tell us there is train, but I don’t know when last you entered train but we see it on television. Second River Niger Bridge we see it on television. They said they have created millions of jobs but we only see it on the pages of newspapers. They arrange some well-dressed young boys and get them to do fake confessions. We see young farmers wearing three piece suits and they say they are farmers.”
Oshiomole also said that the Sure-P programme has been bastardised as it is now used to patronize political thugs of the PDP.
“We hear of what they call SURE-P, which we now know is “choppie” They take government money, Nigeria peoples’ money and give to PDP leaders to give to thugs rather than give it to people who will work.”
“We in APC understand clearly that Nigeria cannot continue to behave like a lazy elephant on its knees. It has to get up and dominate the African forest. We are destined to lead the black world not to be assisted by any country but to lead them. That is God’s wish for us. He gave us land, He gave us people more than 170 million, He gave us liquid gold, solid gold, all kinds of gold and above all he gave us brain, so what is our excuse?”
The Governor said he is happy that the Welders understand the issues on the front burner for the next elections, saying “You have your PVCs, use it to vote for change, to vote for light, to vote for security, to vote for anti-corruption. I ask you to have faith in our country and I am happy that in spite of the frustration, you are on course and the energy you demonstrate shows you are determined to move the nation forward and ensure Nigeria makes it,” he said.