TheCable

Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, on Sunday said his mother was among the victims of the “high rate” of kidnapping witnessed under the administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking at the governorship debate organised by Channels Television in Benin, the state capital, Obaseki denied the allegation that the Adams Oshiomhole government has not made adequate investment in security.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the PDP, had accused the incumbent administration of misappropriating funds meant for security.

But Obaseki defended the incumbent administration, saying Edo is now one of the safest states in the region.

“We need to be careful the way we play our politics, politics should not be about lying, it should be about telling people the facts,” he said.

“I am really shocked that the pastor could be making such sweeping statements which are totally incorrect.

“Under the PDP government in this state, kidnapping got to its peak. Even my mother was kidnapped.

“Over the years, we have continued to address the issue of security. We have collaborated with the military and the police to create a force that can tackle insecurity.

“We have invested in technology to track kidnappers, and today Edo is one of the most secured states in the south-south.”

Earlier Ize-Iyamu had accused the current administration in the state of mismanaging money meant for security.

“We need to invest in security, we need to give funds to the security agents for vehicles, for communication, and even allowances,” Ize-Iyamu said.

“We also need to form local vigilante groups, and communal police. The state government presently collects at least N500 million as security votes every month. But it is pathetic to say that out of this, just one per cent is given to the Edo state police command. Just N5 million.

“That shows that the government did not see the seriousness in investing in security. Edo state is the only state in the south-south that does not have a tracking device. When kidnappers strike, we have to go to neigbouring states to beg for tracking device.”

Onaiwu Osaro of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Amos Areolegbe of the Labour Party, also participated in the televised debate.