The Caretaker Committee Chairman, of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Edo State, David Imuse, a medical doctor and retired army colonel, has called out the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, for failure to appoint commissioners and other political aides three months after assumption of office for a second term, stating that “Edo people are tired of excuses “.
Imuse said while some of the governor’s supporters say he had been busy searching for competent hands and bidding his time to avoid making mistakes, the excuse is inane and only goes to portray an elected public servant with a strong desire to transform into a dictator.
In a statement on Wednesday, signed by Victor Ofure Osehobo, assistant state publicity secretary of the party, Imuse reminded the governor that when he announced the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG November 16, 2020, he had promised to make all other appointments in the first week of February, 2021 but this is the first week of March.
The party submitted that the governor’s inaction has not only crippled government business, but demonstrated that he is a man whose word is not his bond.
The statement read:
“Edo State can ill-afford further delay by the Governor to make these vital appointments. Section 192 of the Nigerian Constitution, as amended, is clear on the issue of State Commissioners, and permanent secretaries cannot do much as they look up to Commissioners for direction on policy issues.
“The section gives the Governor a public mandate rather than private, to appoint commissioners to form not just the state’s executive council, but also the think-tank for the development of the state’s economy and well-being of the people.
“Right now, the day-to-day operations of the different State ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), have come to a halt, while the coordination of important government businesses has become weaker with the unnecessary overload on the Secretary to State Government”.
The APC further contended that: “Since the Governor assumed office in November last year, over 100 days ago, with his disabled State Assembly, using permanent secretaries as acting heads of ministries whose capacities are limited, he has more or less turned a Sole Administrator.
“Edo people are very disappointed by this attitude that this is 100 days after his assumption of office for a second term, meaning he is not a first-timer. The truth is that Edo people are tired of these excuses. He should act fast and in the public interest”.
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