The All Progressives Congress leaders in Edo State have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to reassign personnel in the Government House who are affiliated with his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
Momodu Adams, speaking on behalf of the APC’s intellectual leaders, raised concerns that many civil servants are accustomed to working with Obaseki. He warned that retaining them in their current positions could pose a security threat.
Adams emphasized the need for the immediate reassignment of staff, including the Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Edith Sede, and the caterers.
Adams pointed out that after the recent unauthorized leak of official memos from the Government House, these employees can no longer be trusted. He highlighted that Sede, a known ally of Obaseki and former Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, continues to collaborate with civil servants who served under Obaseki’s administration. This situation, Adams said, is disheartening for officials appointed by Okpebholo.
“During major events in the State, Mrs. Sede engages loyalists of the PDP and Obaseki to handle the cooking and other official arrangements. Within the Government House, Sede has retained cooks who served in Obaseki’s administration. This arrangement is causing serious disarray, as appointees are now afraid of being poisoned,” Adams stated.
He also noted that APC leaders are concerned over the leakage of official documents to PDP leaders, especially Ogie and Asue Ighodalo, who are attempting to overturn Governor Okpebholo’s victory at the Tribunal. “If something urgent is not done, who knows what will happen next?” he added.
Adams continued, “All protocol officers in Government House, including those who serve tea to Governor Okpebholo, are loyalists of Obaseki who are being retained by the Permanent Secretary. Accountants, procurement officers, cooks, drivers, and 98 percent of the staff who worked in Government House during Obaseki’s administration are still in Okpebholo’s administration.”
The APC leaders expressed concerns that these lingering figures are hindering Okpebholo’s administration. “We are worried. People hide or sit on files meant for the Governor. For instance, Governor Okpebholo currently has no retainership with any media house because there are people scheming to frustrate Okpebholo’s administration by ensuring that he gets bad press.”
Adams concluded by saying that the media is losing patience with the Okpebholo administration and that if the media were to turn against the government, it could severely damage its image.
