Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki is yet to form his cabinet seven months after he took the oath of office for second term, 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports.
Obaseki was sworn in for a second term on November 16 last year after his re-election in a governorship election which was held on September 19, 2020.
He defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after his former party, All Progressives Congress (APC) denied him ticket as a result of internal crisis that pitched him against the then national chairman of APC and godfather, Adams Oshiomhole.
He defeated Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the election and was later inaugurated.
Obaseki reappointed Osarodion Ogie as Secretary to the State Government shortly after he took the oath of office.
However, months after, the governor has not been able to form a full cabinet thereby crippling activities in the ministries and parastatals in the state.
In March, APC in the state had tackled Obaseki for failing to form the cabinet, saying the development was unacceptable.
“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 that the permanent secretaries cannot do much as they look up to the commissioners for direction on policy issues,” APC caretaker committee chairman, Colonel David Imuse (Rtd) said.
Many attributed the governor’s inability to form cabinet to discontent within the party, even though Obaseki’s close associates dismissed such claims as untrue.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE recalls that PDP chairman in the state, Tony Aziegbemi was suspended early in the month after he accused Obaseki of favouring APC members who defected with him to the PDP in appointment.
But PDP’s national vice chairman, South-south, Dan Orbih said the decision of who makes the cabinet is the prerogative of the governor, adding that it was wrong to attribute the delay to alleged division in the party.
He said the ongoing reform within the party was responsible for the delay.
The Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu also explained the reasons for the delay in forming the cabinet saying, “The process of getting the names started from the grassroots. This governor will not appoint people all by himself. He prefers that the people should nominate those that they feel should run the affairs of the state.”
