Veteran journalist Reuben Abati has taken a swipe at Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo over his difficulty pronouncing the acronym “GCFR.”
In a viral video circulating online, the governor appeared to struggle while attempting to say the “GCFR” title attached to President Bola Tinubu’s name.
Commenting on the development during The Morning Show on Arise Television, Abati criticised the governor, saying Edo residents had the opportunity to elect a highly educated and intelligent candidate but opted for Okpebholo instead.
According to the former presidential aide, the governor was unable to pronounce what he described as a basic sequence taught to schoolchildren, adding that the electorate must accept the outcome of their decision.
“Like the Yoruba would say, it is finished. Edo people had the chance to choose a highly educated and intelligent man, but they did not. Instead, they chose Monday Okpebholo,” Abati said.
“Simple series taught in schools, he could not pronounce. GCFR suddenly turns into DSS, GSM, GSSM.”
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has condemned the recent attack on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State, describing the incident as an internal party disagreement that escalated.
Reports indicate that former presidential candidate Peter Obi, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, and other ADC leaders were allegedly attacked by suspected thugs in the state on Tuesday.
Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, described the incident as an “assassination attempt.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 24, and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Governor Okpebholo expressed sympathy for those affected. He described it as unfortunate that some individuals allegedly exploited Edo’s peaceful atmosphere to foment violence.
“As peace-loving people, the importation of thugs and miscreants from outside the state under the guise of party politics is strongly condemned and will not be tolerated,” the governor stated.
He further stressed his role as the state’s Chief Security Officer, affirming that he would not allow political rivalry to plunge Edo State into disorder.