By Hillary Asemota
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday, tasked the eight new Commissioners and a Special Adviser with a charge to ensure that the Edo agenda, which is effective service delivery to Edo people is rendered.
Obaseki, while speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Government House in Benin City, urged the new appointees not to be partisan in the discharge of their duties.
The Commissioners, who were sworn in include, Omololu Ojehomon, Chris Nehikhare, Afishetu Braimoh, and Stephen Idehenre.
Others are Osasere Evbuomwan, Donald Ojemeh, Okojie Newton and Jonathan Lawani. The Special Adviser is Barr. James Babatunde Agbogun.
According to the governor, “You have now taken the oath and allegiance of office; your allegiance is to the people of Edo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not to any other individual. Yes, our party nominated us, but we are responsible to every citizen in Edo State, and should not be partisan in discharging our duties.”
He noted: “This exercise today effectively formalizes the harmonization of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We have to come together to work for the interest of Edo people first, above everything else.
“You attended the state’s executive retreat and know the emphasis of our government. You know what we have promised to deliver to Edo people, and by God’s grace, we will deliver them. The assurance of remaining in office is to deliver services to the people of Edo State.”
The governor while warning against indiscipline in the ruling party in the state said the party will not tolerate opposition within its fold.
Obaseki stated, “Some people fail to realise that we are the government in power; they have been opposing us for years and continue to do so. Our party, the PDP, is the party in power and wouldn’t condone opposition within the party.
“There must be party discipline going forward. We can’t tolerate indiscipline and disloyalty to the party. If you can’t get what you want, it doesn’t mean the party must be disunited. We have been patient enough and want to know who the real opposition is and can’t tolerate disloyalty within the party.
“We want to assure our loyal party members that we are truly proud of what is going on in terms of the registration which is inching towards half a million members. Our leaders are working diligently, going round the state. By the grace of God, before the end of this month, 10 percent of the population of the state will be PDP members.”
“We don’t see how PDP will lose power again in Edo State provided we continue to provide services for Edo people,” he noted
Reassuring that his government will sustain policies and programmes to engender sustainable growth and development in the state, the governor added, “As a government, we are focused on optimising every resource that we have. Edo is ahead of other states, as we have retired godfathers.”
“This appointment is earned based on your contribution to the development of the state, as no godfather pushed us to appoint you; you owe nobody this appointment but God,” Obaseki said.
In his response on behalf of other appointees, Nehikhare hailed the governor for finding them worthy, promising that they will put in their best to effectively contribute to the development of Edo State.