- Governor moves to probe Obaseki as Oshimhole’s son, two others get fresh appointments
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Senator Monday Okpebholo on his inauguration today as the Governor of Edo State.
In his message, President Tinubu urged Governor Okpebholo to diligently work to enhance the living standards of the people of Edo State and make a significant impact during his tenure.
Following his triumph in the state governorship election held on September 21, 2024, Okpebholo officially took over from former governor Godwin Obaseki.
Reflecting on the transition, President Tinubu noted that after eight years under Obaseki’s administration, Edo State is rejoining the ranks of the All Progressives Congress.
He emphasised the importance of Governor Okpebholo justifying the confidence placed in him and the APC while fostering true democracy and effective governance in the state.
The President encouraged Okpebholo to empower the Legislature and other vital government institutions throughout his administration, underscoring that a robust and independent legislature is essential for achieving democratic good governance.
Expressing concerns, President Tinubu lamented the previous administration’s attempts to undermine the legislative branch, which hindered its effectiveness for much of its tenure.
Additionally, President Tinubu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the successful conduct of the Edo Governorship Election and encouraged the Commission to strive for even greater excellence in the upcoming Ondo Governorship Election, scheduled for November 16, 2024.
The President celebrated this milestone as a new chapter in Edo State’s democratic journey and rejoiced with the people of Edo for this momentous occasion.
Okpebholo moves to probe Obaseki’s administration
Meanwhile, Monday Okpebholo, the newly sworn-in Governor of Edo State, is set to probe the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
Okpebholo announced he will set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the past administration’s refusal to inaugurate 14 elected lawmakers of the State House of Assembly in 2019.
The 14 lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in the 7th Assembly were denied inauguration during Obaseki’s administration.
Okpebholo announced the planned probe in his inaugural speech shortly after taking the oath of office as the governor of the state on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
He said, “On 17th June 2019, 14 elected members of the Edo State House of Assembly were denied inauguration into the 7th Assembly. It was a big blow to our democracy.
“My administration is setting up a panel of inquiry to investigate the remote causes of that incident, to avoid future occurrence.
“This is very imperative because the legislative arm of government is an essential component for the sustenance of democracy.”
The new governor promised to work together with members of the State House of Assembly for the common good of the people of Edo.
He assured that his administration was ready to work with the state’s legislators to strengthen institutions of governance and accelerate development.
The governor noted that in line with the doctrine of Separation of Powers, the judicial arm of government will be strengthened to administer justice – fairly and promptly.
He also promised to direct the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to look into the case of three judges that the immediate past Obaseki refused to swear in.
“The delay and refusal by the previous administration to swear in three judges recommended by the National Judicial Council is indeed regrettable.
“The Chief Judge will look into this and take necessary actions without delay,” he stated.
Oshimhole’s son, two others make Okpebholo’s fresh appointments
Also, a few hours after his swearing-in as governor of Edo State, Okpebholo announced key positions to his new cabinet as he named Musa Ikhilor, a lawyer, as the Secretary to the State Government.
The newly sworn-in governor equally named a former member of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
And in an affirmation of Adams Oshimhole’s status as the undisputed godfather of Edo politics, Governor Okpebholo named Oshimhole’s son, Cyril Oshiomhole, as the Commissioner for Health.
All the appointments are subject to the approval of the Edo State House of Assembly, as the governor is expected to forward the names of the commissioner nominees to the Assembly.
A press statement endorsed by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, stated that Ikhilor was born on August 6, 1980 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State.
The newly appointed SSG “attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LL.B in 2008 (Second class Upper Division). In 2009, he obtained a B.L. (Second class Upper Division) at the Nigerian Law School and was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The text of the statement reads:
“In 2017, Barr. Ikhilor proceeded to acquire his Master’s degree in Telecommunications Law (LL.M) from the same Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
“Barr. Ikhilor has over 11 years of experience in Legislative Drafting, Parliamentary Administration, Lawmaking procedure and processes, Constitutional drafting and amendment, and general Legislative Governance issues working in various capacities at the National Assembly.
“In 2019, he was appointed as a Consultant to the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he has been closely analysing and reviewing matters on Gender Equity, Human Rights, and strengthening Institutions of Government and creating efficient and transparent processes and systems to deliver Good Governance.
“Also in 2019, he was appointed as Senior Special Assistant and later Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who also doubled as the 1st Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
“In May 2022, he was assigned to act as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when the substantive Chief of Staff resigned to contest in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
“In June 2022, Barr. Ikhilor was appointed by the Supreme of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Notary Public.
“Barr. Ikhilor is active in Business, Corporate Legal Practice and social works where he serves as the Managing Partner of Springfield Legal Consult and as the Executive Director & Board of Trustees member of Amana Legacy Foundation. In addition to these roles, he also provides consultancy services to several private and public sector entities. He is married with children.”
On the new Edo State Attorney General, the statement added that “Dr. Samson Osagie is a private legal practitioner having been called to the Nigerian Bar on March 22nd, 1995.
“He is also the current vice president of the African Bar Association (West African Region).
“Born on November 11, 1967, Dr. Osagie hails from Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.
“He was a two term member of the Edo State House of Assembly and also the House of Representatives where he rose to the position of the Minority Whip.
“He has been involved in intensive Legal practice across Nigeria and the African continent.
“He holds a First degree in Law from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, a qualifying Certificate for Law practice from the Nigerian Law School, triple Master degrees in Law, Public Administration and International Relations. He also bagged a Doctorate Degree in Political Economy and Development Studies.
“He has been Legal Adviser, Solicitor, and Consultant to many Corporate Organizations and development partners.
“Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole’s academic journey began at St. Anne’s Primary School, followed by Command Secondary School, where he later pursued higher education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS).
Oshiomhole enrolled at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA. where he obtained a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH, majoring in Environmental Health, Toxicology, and Disaster Management).
His academic pursuits continued at Harvard University, Boston, where he underwent postgraduate training in Clinical Research and at Queen Mary University, London, where he studied Gastroenterology,” the statement concluded.
