By Osarugue Idemudia
Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Edo State, has criticized former Governor and current Senator Adams Oshiomhole for his recent remarks on Governor Godwin Obaseki’s agricultural initiatives and the state’s feeding program for vulnerable populations.
Osagie accused Oshiomhole of intentionally spreading misinformation for political gain. He expressed disappointment that a leader of Oshiomhole’s stature would use national media platforms to disseminate what he described as falsehoods. Osagie highlighted the Obaseki administration’s achievements in alleviating the negative effects of national policies on Edo residents.
“The Edo State Government is dismayed by Senator Oshiomhole’s baseless attacks on our agricultural reforms and feeding program for the vulnerable,” Osagie stated. “A sitting Senator should have a better grasp of the developments in his home state.”
He cited the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP) as a notable success, with 70,000 hectares of oil palm estates under cultivation and plans to expand by another 50,000 hectares for large-scale commercial farming. Osagie emphasized that both large farms and smallholder farmers are supplying raw materials to food processing and manufacturing companies in the state.
Addressing broader agricultural issues, Osagie criticized the Federal Government for failing to tackle insecurity, banditry, and farmer-herder conflicts, which have contributed to the hunger crisis. He also blamed the government’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the Naira, for exacerbating the suffering of Nigerians.
Despite these challenges, Osagie commended the Obaseki administration’s efforts to shield Edo residents from the negative impacts of these national policies. “On September 21, the people of Edo will show their support for the PDP and Governor Obaseki’s leadership,” he concluded.
Osagie also called on the Federal Government to consider adopting Edo State’s successful model for supporting vulnerable groups to improve their flawed system.
