The Edo State All Progressives Congress has criticised the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, for his decision to convert hundreds of his former political aides and personal staff from his Afrinvest company into the state Civil Service.
The party stated that Obaseki was making last-minute decisions that would create challenges for the incoming governor, Monday Okpebholo.
This was disclosed in a statement by the state chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe, on Friday.
The statement reads: “Our party, the All Progressives Congress, has been inundated with reports of last-minute decisions taken by the outgoing administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki. We have investigated all the reports, and our findings confirm the terrible decisions Obaseki has implemented and is still planning to implement at the twilight of his government.
“Of note is his unilateral decision to convert hundreds of his former political aides and personal staff from Afrinvest into the Edo State Civil Service. In doing so, Obaseki disregarded established civil service requirements by failing to declare a vacancy and by usurping the role of the Edo State Civil Service Commission. In light of these troubling discoveries, we hereby alert the Edo people that Obaseki’s decision to fill the State Civil Service workforce with his cronies is a violation of his oath of office and an act of economic sabotage.
“Additionally, in his attempt to create industrial disputes for the incoming administration, Obaseki has formed a committee to draft a new minimum wage of N85,000 for workers in the state, despite the fact that he has not fully implemented the N70,000 approved by the APC-led Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The revelations coming to light from the ongoing investigation of key officers in Obaseki’s administration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission suggest that Obaseki has mortgaged the state to his business partners. His hurried, staged commissioning of incomplete projects in Benin City is an attempt to justify inflated contract sums and siphon state resources through bogus projects. Edo people must join together at this critical time to protect what remains of our commonwealth.”
However, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, responded by advising the APC to stop complaining and prepare for governance.
Nehikhare said, “Tell them to stop moaning, roll up their sleeves, and get ready for work. They are complaining about everything — employees, minimum wage, project commissioning, and the available bank balances they hope to access.
“If the treasury is empty, FAAC is due on the 17th, just five days after they assume office. But I assure the people of Edo that a robust and healthy bank balance will be available to them on the 12th.”
