Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has reignited political debate over security management in Nigeria, declaring that Edo State was safer during his administration than Anambra State was under former governor Peter Obi.
Speaking during a podcast interview monitored by Punch Newspaper, Oshiomhole challenged Obi’s credentials on security matters, arguing that the former Anambra governor struggled to contain criminal activities and the excesses of vigilante groups operating in the state during his tenure.
The former governor recalled that insecurity became a major concern in Anambra during Obi’s administration, claiming that the situation deteriorated to the point where kidnapping and other crimes flourished. He maintained that it took Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano, to introduce tougher measures aimed at tackling the menace and restoring order.
Oshiomhole also took a swipe at opposition leaders who have criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of insecurity, insisting that many of the critics have failed to present practical solutions to the country’s security challenges. According to him, political leaders seeking national office should go beyond criticism and offer clear strategies for addressing the problem.
The senator further argued that while no administration can claim perfection in tackling insecurity, leaders must be judged by the effectiveness of their actions rather than campaign slogans. He questioned whether some opposition figures have demonstrated enough capacity in their previous positions to justify their current criticisms of the Federal Government.
The comments have added fresh fuel to the long-running political rivalry between supporters of Oshiomhole and Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both camps expected to continue trading claims over their records in office.
