APC, Edo State Govt Trade Blames Over Fire Incidents

By Lucky Isibor

Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki and his PDP-led government over an alleged failure to find a lasting solution to regular fire incidents which ravage major markets in Benin City, the Edo State capital, particularly at the end of the year.

The criticism was made by Mr. John Mayaki, the Chairman of the Edo Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, in a Wednesday statement in which he accused the Obaseki-administration of “unconscionable negligence, especially on the issue of incessant fire incidents reducing people’s livelihoods and means of economic survival to ashes.”

His statement came after another fire incident was recorded at the Lagos Street market, after similar disasters at the Oba market, Ekiosa market, and Santana market.

He said, “Every December, innocent women and traders in Edo State are made to suffer the terrible tragedy of seeing their life investments, and possibly sole means of economic survival, destroyed by fire outbreaks enabled by the negligence and irresponsibility of the state government.”

“What is most troubling is that these incidents have followed the same pattern within the life of the hapless Obaseki-administration, with no serious or proactive response from the government despite the heavy toll on the well-being of ordinary citizens, including market women who form the lifeblood of Edo State’s commerce.”

Mayaki questioned why the Obaseki-administration is ever so eager to exact high taxes on the citizens without providing the requisite public services expected of any responsible government to the people.

However, the Edo government has accused the APC leadership of being complicit in annual market incidents and called on security agencies to invite the Edo State chairman of APC, Col. David Imuse (rtd) and the party's predidential campaign spokesman in Edo State, John Mayaki to assist with investigation.

In a statement by the Honourable Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said, "The Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed our strong suspicion that they are responsible or at least complicit in the Lagos Street fire of yesterday and similar fire incidents that have happened in eve or during electioneering campaigns season in the past, in our State.

"The coincidence of the timing of these unwarranted fires is cause for concern. Edo State government strongly believe that the APC must be involved. 

"Recall that  prior to the 2020 gubernatorial election, Eki Osa, Santana and Oba Markets were set on fire as confirmed  by the spokesman of the APC, John Mayaki.

"In fact traders in Ekiosa Market told journalists then that the fire was the handiwork of mischief makers, at a time the APC was aggressively looking for ways to blackmail Governor Godwin Obaseki and dent his high popularity ratings weeks before the election. 

While wondering why fire incidents only happen in Edo State markets during election and campaign cycles, and used by the APC as a campaign issue, Nehikhare who noted that investigation into the Lagos Street fire incident has commenced, assured that no stone will be left unturned.

"It would interest you to know that since after the last gubernatorial election in Edo State, there hasn’t been any market fires. 

"Now that elections are coming again, the APC has resorted to one of its devilish and inhuman tactics and has started with the Lagos Street fire incident.

"Burning down markets is not a way to resurrect a dead political party that has manufactured unprecedented levels of poverty for Nigerians. 

"We want to warn them and their collaborators to desist from this life of crime. Arson is a crime punishable by jail time. Both sponsors and perpetrators are equally liable.

"We advise the youths not to allow themselves to be used to sabotage our mothers and fathers in the markets and in the larger society. 

"The relevant agencies of government have commenced investigations  into the Lagos Street fire incident and no stones will be left unturned in the process because enough is enough. Col Imuse Rtd, APC State Chairman and Mr. John Mayaki, Chairman of Edo Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council are persons of interest and should be invite to help with the investigation of not just this fire but all previous market fires on the eve of elections in Edo State".