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Obidients battle Adams Oshiomhole
Peter Obi supporters have pushed back against recent remarks by Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding security in Anambra State during the administration of former governor Peter Obi, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.
In a post shared on X on Monday, Peter Obi Grassroots Mobilization issued what it termed a fact-check of Oshiomhole’s comments made during a recent interview, where the former Edo State governor reportedly claimed that Obi “couldn’t control the Bakassi Boys” and that Anambra only became safer under the administration of former Governor Willie Obiano.
According to the group, the Bakassi Boys emerged between 1999 and 2000 during the tenure of former Anambra governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju. The group noted that the vigilante outfit was accused of widespread human rights abuses before it was officially banned and disarmed by the Federal Government under then-President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2002.
The Obi support group argued that the former Anambra governor, who assumed office in 2006, inherited a state already recovering from that period and chose not to rely on vigilante groups. Instead, it said Obi strengthened collaboration with conventional security agencies, particularly the police.
The group further cited remarks attributed to former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, who reportedly described Anambra as Nigeria’s safest state during the final years of Obi’s administration. It noted that the state recorded no bank robberies during that period, adding that the police chief commended the cooperation between the state government and security agencies.
While acknowledging that Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano, formalised local security structures through the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG), the supporters maintained that the foundation for improved security in the state had been laid during Obi’s tenure.
Highlighting what it described as Obi’s broader governance achievements, the group claimed that his administration provided security agencies with operational vehicles, fuel, allowances and equipment, while also carrying out targeted operations against criminal hideouts.
It also credited the former governor with improvements in infrastructure, fiscal management, education and healthcare, alleging that Anambra emerged as one of Nigeria’s least indebted states during his administration and recorded strong performances in national examinations.
The group further stated that Obi’s administration attracted investments such as Innoson Motors and the SABMiller brewery to the state.
In a counterpoint, the Obi supporters raised concerns over security challenges recorded in Edo State during Oshiomhole’s tenure as governor. They alleged that kidnapping for ransom became prevalent in parts of the state, while incidents linked to cultism and political violence occurred during election periods.
The group also referenced later political disputes involving Oshiomhole and former Edo governor Godwin Obaseki, including clashes arising from intra-party conflicts in the state.
“None of these acts of impunity were recorded under the government of His Excellency Peter Obi. Go and verify,” the group stated.
Oshiomhole has yet to publicly respond to the specific claims raised in the fact-check issued by the Peter Obi support group.