Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has replied Chairman of Ocean Marine Solution (OMS), Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo over numerous claims ahead of September Guber poll.
In an open letter on Tuesday, Mr Obaseki denied all allegations levelled against him by Hosa, describing it as “outlandish and wrong assessment of my character”.
According to the governor, it is his duty to ensure the safety of all, especially with the governorship election around the corner.
Replying to Hosa’s open letter, Obaseki wrote in part, ” My attention has just been drawn to a three-page advertorial sponsored and signed by you, in some Nigerian newspapers of Monday July 20, 2020, entitled: ‘An Open Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and The Good People of Edo State: Please Urge Governor Obaseki to Leave me Alone.’
“In your lengthy and convoluted missive, you accused me of being the mastermind of all your recent misfortunes, which range from the sublime to the ridiculous. I sincerely empathise with you over these unfortunate and negative incidents but hereby state without equivocation, that I am innocent of all you have accused me of.
“Those who have worked with me can attest to the fact that I do not have the propensity to inflict evil or pains, especially of the scale you alleged, on any man or woman. I couldn’t have been shopping for businesses abroad while at the same time destroying the ones owned by Edo sons and daughters like you. My background and record bear witness to the fact that all my working career have been devoted to creating, supporting and sustaining businesses and investments.
“Even beyond my personal policies, I am under oath as Governor to guarantee the security and safety of persons and property and ensuring the greatest level of happiness to the greatest number of Edo citizens.”
Recall that Captain Hosa through his Senior Executive Assistant, Mrs Denise I. Onu, had on Monday night, faulted Obaseki’s own claims that he and Adams Oshiomhole hired thugs they would deploy in the September 19 governorship election.
“Osagie made very grave and damaging claims against Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo and a former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, linking them with the sponsorship of political thugs to be deployed in the September 19 governorship election,” she said.
However, Obaseki, on his part, expressed disappointment that despite their close family relationship, Hosa “could allow yourself to be convinced that I would do anything to hurt you or your business interests”.
His words, “As Chairman of the National Executive Council Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control, the records would indicate that the eventual report actually favoured you and your company, despite the strong complaints from the competition and some clients about the astronomical cost of the services offered by your company.
“As pertains to the Secure Anchorage Area Ltd (SAA) operations, your accusation against me in this regard is blatantly false and without foundation. The Honourable Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is alive today to bear witness to the extensive effort I made on your behalf to resolve your problems with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“On the complaints regarding the non-commissioning of your farm project by Mr. President, it would appear that you are not aware that the President had a mere five-hour visit to Edo State and his itinerary was entirely put together by the Presidential Protocol Team and further vetted by the Department of State Services (DSS). They came to the conclusion that the commissioning of your farm project could not be included on the President’s visit. Neither I nor the Edo State Government had anything to do with that decision.”
