Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki has sacked eight of his commissioners and nominated six others to replace them. In a statement issued yesterday and
Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki has sacked eight of his commissioners and nominated six others to replace them. In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the Secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie, the governor also appointed five special advisers.
The commissioners relieved of their appointments were Joseph Ugheoke (energy and water resources), Magdalene Ohenhen (women affairs and social development), Engr. Osahon Amiolemen (infrastructure). Others are Dr. David Osifo (health), Mika Amanokha (youths and special duties), Mariam Abubakar (budget), Barr. Emmanuel Usoh (wealth creation, cooperatives and employment), Dr. Christopher Adesotu (science and technology).
The sacked commissioners are said to be loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. The action has further widened the rift between the governor who was a commissioner under Oshiomhole and the APC chairman.
The new commissioner-nominees are Damian Lawani, Joe Ikpea, Felix Akhabue, Moses Agbakor, Momoh Oise Omorogbe, and Marie Edeko. He said the newly appointed special advisers are Kabiru Adjoto, immediate past speaker of the state House of Assembly, Magdalene Ohenhen, Osaigbovo Iyoha, Andrew Momodu, and Ojo Asien.
The feud between the two APC leaders became public a weeks ago when the Edo State House of Assembly was hurriedly ‘inaugurated’ and a speaker ‘elected’ at night with only nine lawmakers present. The assembly has 24 members, and all of them are APC members. The other lawmakers-elect were excluded ostensibly in order to prevent Oshiomhole’s loyalists from taking control of the legislature.
Oshiomhole and the national leadership of the APC have since rejected the ‘inauguration’ of the assembly, which they described as being “illegal”. The assembly and the state government on Wednesday, secured an interim order from a federal high court in Benin City, restraining the APC from “interfering” in the affairs of the state legislature. Mr Obaseki, as it is, appears to be in firm control of the APC at the state level, while Oshiomhole thrives only at the national level of the party.
