Oshiomhole denies influencing son’s nomination into Okpebolo’s cabinet

Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has told critics that the move to nominate his son, Cyril, as Commissioner for Health in the state was solely Governor Monday Okpebolo’s decision.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, Oshiomhole stated that Cyril’s qualification as a certified medical doctor, coupled with his educational background, has put him in a good position for the post.

Oshimhole, a current senator representing Edo North, added that his son’s nomination as the state’s Commissioner of Health is based on merit and has nothing to do with his surname.

Cyril, a medical doctor, was nominated as the Commissioner of Health by Monday Okpebholo, the state governor and close ally of Oshiomhole, and was subsequently sworn in on November 19 at the Government House in Benin City.

He said: “He doesn’t work under me; maybe Governor Monday is grooming him. When I was in Edo, I stopped him when he wanted to go for the House of Reps. I said no and supported another guy. The second time he wanted to try, I said no. This time, the governor decided to pick him. He is qualified.

“I did express my concerns when I heard. I called him and expressed my concerns. I expressed those concerns to the governor that people might say this and that.

“Those were the reasons why I stopped him from contesting elections when I was in office, but then I have to accept that in the world we live in, you can only do so much to control your son, but not when he is already of adult age.

“But the point must be made: I invested in my children’s education. I didn’t want them to go through what I went through. So, Dr. Cyril is not just a medical doctor from ABU, Ahmadu Bello University; he went on to do post-graduate work in two universities in the US, including Harvard and another university in Louisiana. He specializes in public health.

“So, he is not having it because he is Oshiomhole. I will say he is having it despite being Oshiomhole.”