Adams Oshiomhole, the former Governor of Edo State, has accused the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) redesigned naira policy for his own financial gain. Oshiomhole claimed that after embarrassing the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, by accusing him of printing billions of naira to share for states through the Federation Account, Obaseki realised he needed cash for his re-election campaign and decided to jump ship and support the cashless policy.
In an interview with Vanguard, Oshiomhole alleged that Obaseki had abused the federal government and President Buhari in the past but now supports a policy that he had denounced publicly. Oshiomhole claimed that Obaseki took billions from the Central Bank in the name of agriculture but cannot show where the farms are located.
Oshiomhole also criticised Obaseki’s support for the cashless policy, calling it destructive to the naira. He expressed his reservations about the procedure, which he had denounced even as a former All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman. He said that state governors could easily abuse the power of state police.
Furthermore, Oshiomhole argued that Obaseki’s need for cash was why he supported the redesigned naira policy. He alleged that the incumbent governor supported the policy not because of its merits but because of his financial interest.
Oshiomhole’s comments suggest a rift between the former and current governors of Edo state and an allegation of financial misconduct by the incumbent. Whether the accusations will impact the upcoming gubernatorial election in the state remains to be seen.
