Posted by By GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka on
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State on Monday threatened to resign, if proved that at anytime his office or that of any political appointee was paid overhead an hour earlier than that of his deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba.
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State on Monday threatened to resign, if proved that at anytime his office or that of any political appointee was paid overhead an hour earlier than that of his deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba.
Governor Obi who denied any rift between him and his deputy, as speculated in some national dailies over the weekend, restated that their relationship remained cordial and respectful.
The governor, who was accosted by newsmen at the Government House, Awka, on Monday evening to react on the widely reported rift between him and his deputy, brandished some official documents to buttress his claims.
He vowed that he would not be distracted by the reports as he is in office as governor to satisfy the greatest needs of the greatest number of people that elected him into office, debunking claims that he is responsible for the needs of the political appointees , which according to him falls into the office of the Sectary to the State Government (SSG).
When asked if he discovered that Dame Etiaba was not misquoted , Governor Obi said that his deputy, as a human being was bound to make mistakes but that he would continue to work cordially with her.
The governor stated: "On the allegation that the Deputy Governor's overhead was unduly delayed, overhead of all government officers , the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the SSG, Commissioners, Ministries are paid simultaneously on the same date. There is no difference in payment dates. As a matter of fact, it is contained in the same paper and paid by the office of the Account General.
"If there was anytime my office or any other office was paid an hour earlier than the Deputy Governor, I will offer my resignation. My policy of monthly payment is that pensioners must be paid first, followed by civil servants before political appointees. This remains sacrosanct.
"The House of Assembly discussed this with me and I told them the same thing, I thank them for their understanding."
On the allegation that the deputy Governor was not informed about signing of the 2008 budget and swearing in of judges, Governor Obi said, "The issue of signing of budget and swearing-in of judges were discussed at the Executive Council meeting of 15th May, 2008 . Prior to that date, my protocol officer, Ngozi Okoye, called the Deputy's protocol officer on the matter and he confirmed that the Deputy Governor had taken permission to travel and would not be around.
That is in line with my agreement with her for the trip. I personally signed her allowances on the 15th of May, 2008.
"Let me enlighten you further on the same issue, the National Chairman of our party, Sir Victor Umeh spoke to the Deputy Governor on the 17th May, 2008 and she informed him that she would not be around on account of an earlier scheduled meeting at Abuja , which was long overdue. This actually made me to apologize on her behalf. I believe she was misquoted."
On the allegation that her convoy vehicles have broken down without replacement, the state Governor further said,"Vehicles for political appointees are handled by the office of the SSG and maintenance from the overhead of various offices have nothing to do with the office of the Governor. But let me reiterate that I do not think vehicles have ever been an issue and should not be an issue.
"The Deputy Governor and myself were provided vehicles for our offices at the inception of this government in 2006. She received more vehicles than any other Deputy Governor had been given.
"When I was unconstitutionally impeached, she was given fleet of new cars, including two bullet proof BMW jeeps and bullet proof Mercedes 500 SEL.
"When I came back from impeachment, following courts judgment, a new set of vehicles were provided for her. As I speak, all these vehicles are still with her. It is on record that I am the only Governor whose deputy has longer convoy, bullet proof cars when I have none.
"Let me at this juncture believe that she was misquoted, but reiterate that whatever is the case, these are not the reasons I was elected and were not included in my manifesto. The reason I was elected as contained in my manifesto are to rebuild the institutions of government.
I was elected to serve the people transparently and honestly, to provide security to the people, to build the state's institution of health, educations, sports, to improve business community, to attract investors and these are my commitments.
"I have always advised politicians not to be selfishly concerned with their entitlements without asking about the entitlements of people that elected them into offices. Our entitlements should be the least and that is my commitment."
Meanwhile, in a reaction to Etiaba's comments, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obi on Inter-Party Relations, Chief Ben I. Obi, said the deputy governor should not be complaining of marginalization or vehicles in her convoy after spending over N4 billion tax payers' money to launder her image within the three months she was governor of the state.
However, in a swift reaction, the personal lawyer to Etiaba, Mr. Oseloka Osuigwe, described Obi's allegations as figments of his imagination, adding that it bordered on criminality, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could handle.
Obi had, in a two-page statement signed by himself, stated that Ebiaba gave a former presidential aide, N1 billion to introduce her to the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
He said, 'In the same interview, Her Excellency, Mrs. Etiaba decried the poor state of cars in her convoy. If I may ask, where is one bullet proof jeep, one non-bullet proof jeep, a blue Mercedes 600 sedan bullet proof, Mercedes G-class, and four 607 Peugeot cars, two bullet-proof and two non-bullet proof that she bought when her boss went for three months political retreat? She left those cars in the care of her children only to turn round to blame the governor for her woes.
'It might interest you to know that Her Excellency, Mrs. Virgy Etiaba spent over N4 billion of tax-payers' money on lobbying during the three months of her boss' political retreat. One billion was given to (name withheld) to introduce Mrs. Virgy Etiaba to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
'On a final note, Mrs. Etiaba is advised to stop portraying Governor Peter Obi in bad light. Mr. Peter Obi is the darling of the people of the state and no amount of distraction will deter him from giving democracy dividends to Anambrarians. A word is enough for the wise."
Etiaba had, in the said interview with Saturday Sun, raised alarm that there were plots by some aides of her boss to blackmail her and her children, but said that the truth would one day come out.
Ebiaba's lawyer had warned that political jobbers in the state should desist from causing trouble between the governor and his deputy.
He said: 'The issues raised border on criminality and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is there for him to substantiate his allegations, if there is truth in his wild and spurious claims.
'From where and what source, did Her Excellency get whopping sum of N1 billion to provide her access to the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, when her meager entitlements are not released as and when due? This is a sheer unintelligent script from an unintelligent mind.
'Her Excellency, is, however, happy that money said to have been misappropriated during her tenure, as governor of the state, has thinned down from N48 billion initially to N38 billion, from N28 billion at a time and now to N4 billion. And Her Excellency obviously knows that someday, it will get to zero.
'Her Excellency wants political jobbers to desist from fanning embers of discord between her and the governor. What is uppermost in her mind now, is provision of democracy dividends to Anambrarians."