The Edo State government probe of projects executed by its immediate head and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Comrade Adam’s Oshiomhole, is to force him to back down from his unstated sworn position to shoot down his successor’s ambition for a second term.
The open secret is believed to be at the heart of the government’s position to probe contracts for construction of structures and supply of equipment to Benin Central Hospital, awarded by the administration of Adams Oshiomhole.
It was gathered that those against Oshiomhole are considering “giving energy to a petition written by a Reverend gentleman against the party chieftain, among others. The body language of President Muhammadu Buhari is said to be the inhibiting factor.
A source said that the probe by Obaseki’s administration is only the first salvo in attempts to undo the former Edo Governor by “combined forces within and outside the APC machinery for political survival”.
Curiloudly, the usually combative and irrepressible Oshiomhole has remained silent and watchful.
“There are other plots in place, but I guess this is just intended to whip him in line on the Edo front so that Obaseki can get the breathing spae to achieve his own ambition. He knows how ferocious his former boss can be when he feels wounded, but he knows he has to toe this path for his own survival,” the source added.
Recall that Mr Cruise Osage, Special Adviser to Edo Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, disclosed the planned probe of Oshiomhole in a statement issued on Sunday in Benin, saying a Commission of inquiry would soon be constituted to probe the contracts.
According to the Governor’s Aide, the action for probe was necessitated by numerous calls on the government to look into the contracts in which billions of taxpayers’ money were expended on poorly executed projects under the regime of Adams Oshiomhole, past Governor and incumbent APC National Chairman.
He said the Commission of Enquiry would have a mandate to ascertain if details of contract terms were adhered to, especially the quality of materials used for the building.
Osagie said the Commission of Enquiry would also determine the extent of irregularities regarding the purchase of equipment among others.
“The state government will investigate allegations of fraud and irregularities with the contract for procurement of the hospital equipment,” he said.
The aide stated that the commission would unravel why the equipment contracted were yet to be supplied and other claims made by the contractors.
He said, “the contractors who handled the building had questions to answer including the shoddy jobs done among others.
Osagie said works were ongoing at the hospital to patch up parts of the Hospital, as parts of the poorly constructed facilities leading to collapse of the roof in some sections.
