For every political campaign, there is always a promise by the aspirant of sincerity, transparency and ability to be accountable to the people, to attract the people's mandate. Even after the power has been attained, such claim is held on to.As a political office holder, Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State is not an exemption to this claim. The challenge is usually that what political office holders do, is a different ball game. This is the root of societal problems ' economic, social and developmental.Currently in Edo State, the people are being deceived by the governor's illogical defenders and professional praise-singers by creating the impression of good performance by the governor. This wrong impression of good performance by the governor is highly backed up by the governors' media propaganda .The people are easily carried away because there was high expectation from him.This impression has brought about a systemic erosion of our core values such that we no longer see wrong as bad, and the sanctity of human life has been thrown into the dustbin. This is why the people always clap hands for the government in power, whether the policies and action are right or wrong.Governor Oshiomhole, made the people to believe that he is one governor that does not run the activities of the government on loans, but in his supplementary budget he clearly stated that the state is servicing loans from the capital market with N70 billion. Meanwhile, during the media chat with Mr Oseni Elema, the chairman, Edo State Board of Internal Revenue recently, he told the press that N25 million was borrowed from the capital market. The two fundamental questions at this point are that, if he is not borrowing, where is the N25 million loan from'And how come the total amount that is used to service the loan (N70b) is greater than the amount that was borrowed (N25b)'The reason that the Comrade Governor has ignored calls to publish the identity of contractors executing government projects still remain a mirage. The public procurement Act states that, before any contract is awarded, it should be brought to public notice through publication . But the refusal of the governor to act accordingly is a clear indication that the comrade governor has something to hide. This action is not a reflection of transparency and accountability.During his election campaign, Comrade Oshiomhole faulted the use of office of First Lady and security votes, saying that it was not constitutional. But before the demise of his late wife, taxpayer's money was used to fund that office in Edo State. It was her ill health that made her in active in that office.The comrade governor is currently collecting about N500 million as security vote. The people are left wondering what the governor is doing with such money which he had earlier faulted. The governor recently made history as the first governor to submit a blank supplementary budget to the state House Assembly; the said supplementary budget has even been passed at first reading before he finally bowed to opposition demand by secretly withdrawing it to make amends.Edo State from creation was known for its excellent performance in sports. But it is sad that in recent times, the state is no where to be reckoned with in the field of sports. The Ogbemudia Stadium that used to be of international standard is now a shadow of itself. It recently caused international embarrassment when the under-23 tournament between Nigeria and Ghana scheduled to hold at the stadium was suddenly postponed, due to a 10-minutes rain which flooded both in and outside the stadium pitch.In the same vain, just as the governor has not be able to address the industrial developmental needs of the state, the governor has proven that he has also no answer to sports development in the state. Bendel Insurance Football Club that used to be one of the club, which in its hey days won several laurels and produced great players that have made the country proud, is now batting with unpaid salaries and allowances. The club that is supposed to be in National premiership is currently struggling against relegation to the amateur leagueAppeals by the management of the club and football lovers in the state to release funds for the club, obviously fell on deaf ears. Meanwhile, the comrade governor could release the sum N15 million to National under-23 team for beating Ghana which eventually sent the team parking from the competition.The governor had accused opposition parties of sponsoring the recent strike action by the organised labour in the state. Without mincing words, members of opposition parties' children dominate public schools. Meanwhile, none of the governor's children attend school here in Nigeria as his eldest son, recently graduated from the Oxford University. What does the opposition parties stand to benefit from their children being deprived of learning'The whole essence of true transformative leadership on which his campaign was anchored on should have a reflection of sincerity, transparency and ability to make him accountable to the people.Transformative leadership is a product of constructive engagement, collective bargaining and a critical self-appraisal of mission statement and pursuit leadership essentials that would lead to accountability, transparency and good governance. This is what the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) expects from him.Comrade Francis, is Vice Chairman, (South), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Edo State Chapter, wrote in from Benin.
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