The Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has described as false and misleading claims by former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, , that former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, , performed poorly on security during his tenure.
Ogene, in a statement on Monday, said Oshiomhole’s recent remarks during a podcast interview amounted to a deliberate attempt to rewrite history and misinform Nigerians about Obi’s record in office.
The lawmaker was reacting to Oshiomhole’s assertion that his security achievements in Edo State surpassed those of Obi in Anambra and that Obi lacked the credentials to tackle Nigeria’s current security challenges.
According to Ogene, records of security management under Obi remain publicly available and cannot be erased through political rhetoric.
He accused Oshiomhole of engaging in revisionist history and attempting to gain relevance among supporters of President Bola Tinubu through repeated attacks on Obi.
“Oshiomhole’s revisionist attempt to rewrite history is both laughable and insulting to Nigerians who know the facts. The data on security under Obi’s tenure in Anambra remains public record, and no amount of political grandstanding can erase it,” Ogene stated.
The NDC caucus leader further faulted Oshiomhole’s reference to the Bakassi Boys, noting that the vigilante group operated during the administration of the late Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju and not during Obi’s tenure.
He argued that Oshiomhole ignored the three-year administration of former Anambra governor, , before Obi assumed office in 2006.
Ogene also rejected Oshiomhole’s claim that the demolition of kidnappers’ hideouts began under former governor , insisting that the policy was introduced and implemented during Obi’s administration.
He said Obi pioneered a community-based security framework in Anambra through the recruitment, training and equipping of security personnel across the state’s 177 communities, describing the initiative as an early model of state policing.
The lawmaker further claimed that Obi received several security-related awards while serving as governor and enjoyed the support of security agencies operating in the state.
To support his position, Ogene cited former Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Philemon Leha, who reportedly commended Obi’s commitment to security and his provision of logistics and operational support to law enforcement agencies.
According to the statement, Leha said Obi consistently prioritised security and offered assistance on a scale he had not witnessed elsewhere during his service.
Ogene also alleged that recent attacks on Obi by politicians across party lines were evidence of growing concern over the former governor’s popularity ahead of the 2027 general election.
He maintained that Obi had committed no offence by seeking elective office and was entitled to contest for the presidency like every other Nigerian.
The lawmaker argued that no amount of political attacks or smear campaigns would deny Obi his democratic rights or prevent him from participating in the 2027 presidential race.
He urged political actors to focus on issues and factual debates rather than what he described as coordinated efforts to discredit the former Anambra governor.