The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed serious concerns regarding last-minute maneuvers by outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration that threaten to disrupt the upcoming governance of Senator Monday Okpebholo. In a statement released by the party’s State Chairman, Emperor Khalifa Jarret Tenebe, the APC detailed troubling decisions made by Obaseki as his tenure comes to a close.
Notably, Obaseki’s unilateral decision to convert hundreds of former political aides and personal staff from Afrinvest into the Edo State Civil Service has raised alarms. This action disregards established civil service protocols, as no vacancies were declared, effectively undermining the authority of the Edo State Civil Service Commission.
In light of these developments, the APC is alerting the public that Obaseki’s attempts to fill the civil service with his associates constitute a violation of his oath of office and a detrimental act of economic sabotage. Additionally, the outgoing governor has constituted a controversial committee to propose a new minimum wage of N85,000 for state workers, despite his administration’s failure to implement the previously approved N70,000 by the APC-led Federal Government.
Investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into Obaseki’s leadership have further revealed alarming evidence of financial misconduct, suggesting that the governor has compromised the state’s integrity for the benefit of his business partners. Furthermore, his hurried commissioning of incomplete projects in Benin City appears aimed at justifying inflated contracts and diverting state resources.
At this crucial juncture, the APC urges Edo residents to unite in protecting the state’s resources and ensuring a smooth transition for the incoming administration.