Segun Saiki criticises Oshiomhole for distributing items he once condemned, calling the senator’s empowerment gesture ‘hypocritical’
Segun Saiki has criticises Oshiomhole for what he described as a hypocritical act of distributing grinding machines, motorbikes, sewing machines and cash as constituency projects in Edo North.
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The former lawmaker and prominent leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State accused Senator Adams Oshiomhole of contradicting his earlier stance against such empowerment schemes, likening the gesture to “eating his vomit.”
Saiki, speaking on Monday, said the former governor had once mocked lawmakers for giving out similar items, claiming such efforts only perpetuated poverty instead of tackling it.
“Oshiomhole swallowed what he had vomited by doling out grinding machines, motorbikes, sewing machines and N100,000 as a constituency project,” Saiki said.
“It’s like someone vomiting and swallowing it back. What can anybody buy with N100,000 in today’s economy? Oshiomhole only gave money to people who visited him.”
He reminded Edo residents that before entering the Senate, Oshiomhole had vowed to restructure the idea of constituency projects, arguing that handing out motorbikes and sewing machines was a shallow way to empower citizens.
However, Oshiomhole’s media aide, Victor Oshioke, defended his principal, stating that the senator had paired the empowerment with tangible developments such as classroom blocks and market stores.
“Oshiomhole’s focus is on lasting legacies,” Oshioke explained. “He believes senators should be judged by projects that create jobs and endure, not just by the sharing of items.”
Political observers say the controversy underscores the growing debate on how lawmakers can balance symbolic gestures with sustainable development.
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While Oshiomhole’s defenders describe his actions as people-centred, critics like Saiki insist the senator has abandoned his earlier ideals.
