ANAMBRA APC EXHORTS INVESTIGATION OF OBIANO
Following the startling interception, arrest and successive detention of the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while traveling to the Houston, Texas, United State of America on the same day he handed over power, we urge EFCC not to detain him for longer than necessary.
We had expressed shock because, although Obiano spent nearly half of his tenure in his private home in this offshore location, he had prior knowledge that there were issues to clear with EFCC, having had a prior information on the matter for months.
So his attempt to flee the country the same day his successor took over, without addressing these issues can, in our view be faulted.
Considered alongside the fact that neither the governor of Anambra State from March 17,2014 to March 16,2022, nor his new successor has said anything about what is being handed over and what has been taken over, financially, we are keeping an open mind on events of the last few days.
However, since the financial crime agency set off the alarm late last year, it means there has been enough time to put facts, figures and the law together.
We therefore, without any interferences with the statutory duties of the commission, appeal to EFCC to conduct a timely investigation on the questioned areas of financial dealings, recover monies for Anambra State where applicable and/or prosecute offenders where they exist, without any delay, which may fuel speculation and detract from concrete issues of Anambra State financial leakages.
Facts emerging so far point to a painful indictment of failure on the part of Anambra State House of Assembly in the area of checks and balances on the outgone executive arm of the state government.
In fact, no one in that legislative house should be reelected,so as to give the state a new opportunity to rediscover the functions of the legislature.
While in custody, we plead that all courtesies be extended to HE Gov. Obiano and attention should be paid to his health and allowable needs, as an elder statesman of Anambra State, who is legally presumed innocent until otherwise proven.
We urge the good people of Anambra State to appreciate that until Anambra State can boast of legislative checks, irrespective of political affiliation, EFCC and ancilliary agencies hold the ace to curbing, if not stopping the financial hemorrhage bedeveling the state.
Hence, those who mean well for Anambra State should allow due process play out, closing their ears to sentimental comments and tantrums particularly from beneficiaries of the perforated system and stakeholders who could have advised better.
It is our considered advice that Anambra State citizens and institutions, should at this point rely only on official information from EFCC.
For: ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), ANAMBRA STATE CHAPTER
*Okelo Madukaife*
State Publicity Secretary
Awka.
*March 20, 2022*
