Edo South group accuses Okpebholo of marginalisation

A Benin City-based socio-cultural organisation under the aegis of the Aigbedo Progressive Alliance (APA) on Thursday raised the alarm over the appointments made so far by Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State and demanded that the Edo South senatorial district be given more slots.

Recall that Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office on Tuesday, had announced Barrister Musa Ikhilor as the Secretary to the State Government (SGG), Dr. Samson Osagie as the State’s Attorney-General, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole as Health Commissioner-designate, and Fred Itua as his chief press secretary (CPS).

The group, while noting that Edo South is the most populated and blessed with resources, claimed that the appointments announced so far indicated that the senatorial district was being targeted for vendetta and marginalisation by the new governor.

President of the group, Engr. Carl Uyiosa Otokiti, while faulting the four appointments made by the governor, also reminded Okpebholo of his campaign promise to populate his administration with Edo-based politicians.

Otokiti, in a statement, said: “We are a Benin ethnic nationality organisation, which aims to advance the cause of rapid development of the Benin nation through constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders in Nigeria and overseas.

“We are constrained to remind you, as you are undoubtedly aware, that your administration started on the note of vendetta against Edo South political stakeholders in the manner you shared four political appointments and reduced Edo South, the most populated senatorial district with the most critical natural resources, to the same status as Edo North senatorial district in the allocation of ministerial slots to each district.”

“For context, four appointments were made on your first day: Chief Press Secretary, Secretary to the State Government, Commissioner for Health, and Commissioner for Justice.

“The first two appointments were given to your Edo Central senatorial district, which is the least populated and without natural resources; while the last two slots were shared between Edo North and Edo South districts, respectively.

“Apart from slighting Edo South politicians, as one of the commissioner-designates is Adams Oshiomhole’s biological son, it speaks volumes of political patronage to a man you hailed during your inauguration as ‘the godfather,’ more than an altruistic desire to serve the larger interest of Edo people. This is most unfortunate.

“Despite your campaign promise to populate your administration with Edo-based tacticians, of the four appointees, only Samson Osagie is Edo-based. The remaining three were completely silent during the torrents of your gubernatorial campaign trails. This is another deviation from what you promised the Edo people,” the group stated.