More facts have emerged why Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State terminated the appointments of all his Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.
Though the governor was silent on the number of aides affected, Blueprint gathered that over 300 aides were affected by the massive shake-up.
In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. said, “Fresh appointments will be announced within the next 30 days.”
The government said the sack to reorganize the governance structure to enhance efficiency in service delivery to Edo people.
The statement also said, “the state government offers its immense gratitude to the outgoing assistants for their service and assures of continued cordial relations in the years ahead.
“They are hereby directed to hand over all government property and documents in their possession to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government”.
The mass purge is coming in the wake of ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole’s accusing fingers at Obaseki wherein he stated that his successor sacked the only commissioner he nominated in the administration.
Sources at the Edo State government House who confided in our correspondent said the mass purge may not be unconnected to face-off between governor Obaseki and his estrange godfather and ex-governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
According to the source, “It’s the general believe within the government circle that majority of his aides are members of Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), a group reportedly loyal to Adams Oshiomole.
The group has constituted itself as an opposition within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against Governor Obaseki’s administration.
Besides, the EPM have consistently accused the governor of abandoning the party’s manifestoes and vowed to stop the governor from securing the APC ticket for reelection.
Governor Obaseki had announced the appointment of 192 Special Assistants on June 3, 2017 in addition to the appointments of dozens of Senior Special Assistants (SSA).
He had at the time said the appointments represent a true reflection of all the 192 electoral wards in the three Senatorial Districts that make up the state.
The governor also announced the appointment of 19 female aides as his Special Assistants on gender matter in December 2017.
“I need 19 sets of eyes to help me see and identify what is happening with women across the state,” the governor said during the swearing-in.
