Edo State’s newly inaugurated governor, Sunday Okpebholo, wasted no time in shaking up the state’s administrative structure. Just a day after his swearing-in, Governor Okpebholo announced the immediate dissolution of all executive boards within the state’s public service.
In a bold statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor revealed the dismissal of all political appointees and ordered the removal of permanent secretaries who were brought in from outside the state’s civil service.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has sanctioned the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service, effective immediately,” the statement read. Further, the governor directed all affected officials to return any government properties they had in their possession to the senior officers in their respective departments.
Okpebholo, who was recently sworn in after the victory in the state’s gubernatorial race, took swift steps toward implementing his agenda. In addition to the board dissolutions, he also suspended all revenue collection in the state’s motor parks and similar public areas. He warned that anyone defying this order would face immediate arrest, instructing the state’s commissioner of police to enforce the directive until further notice.
“The collection of revenues in the state has been put on hold indefinitely. Anyone found collecting revenues on behalf of the State Government will face arrest,” Okpebholo emphasized, setting the tone for what may be a transformative leadership period in Edo.
This significant restructuring comes as the new governor steps in following the end of Godwin Obaseki’s two-term administration, promising to redefine governance in Edo.
But with these sweeping changes, will Okpebholo’s leadership bring a new era of accountability and progress to the state?