The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki over his decision to convert hundreds of his former political aides and personal staff of Afrinvest into state civil servants.
According to Naija News, the party’s state chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, said in a statement on Friday that Obaseki’s actions were a terrible decision and an act of economic sabotage.
The party said Mr. Obaseki was making last-minute decisions that would pose challenges to the next governor, Mr. Monday Okpeboro.
APC further called on the people of Edo State to condemn the act and protect the property of the state.
The statement reads: “Our party, the All Progressives Congress, has been inundated with reports of last-minute decisions made by the administration of outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki. It confirms the terrible decisions we have made and are still making.
“What is noteworthy is his unilateral decision to transfer hundreds of former political aides and personal staff from Afrinvest to Edo state civil servants. In doing so, Obaseki failed to declare the vacancies and By usurping the role of the Civil Service Commission, we ignored the established requirements of the civil service.In light of these alarming findings, we hereby call on the people of Edo to replenish the staff of the national civil service with cronies. We warn that Obaseki’s decision is a violation of his oath of office and an act of economic sabotage.
“Furthermore, Mr. Obaseki, in an attempt to create a labor dispute for the incoming administration, has not fully implemented the approved minimum wage of N70,000 for workers in the state. A committee was established by the APC-led Federal Government of Nigeria to draft a new minimum wage of N85,000.
“Facts uncovered in the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against key officials of the Obaseki administration suggest that Obaseki mortgaged the country to his business partners. The hasty phased commissioning of the project for completion is an attempt to justify the inflated contract amount and siphon off national resources through spurious projects. We must protect what is left of our country.”
In response, the Secretary for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehihar, advised the APC to stop complaining and prepare to govern.
he said: “Tell them to stop moaning, roll up their sleeves, and get ready for work. They complain about everything: their employees, the minimum wage, the contracting out of projects, the bank balances they want to access.
“If the Treasury is empty, FAAC is scheduled to take office on the 17th, just five days after taking office. But I want to assure Edo people that on the 12th, they will have a healthy and healthy bank balance. I guarantee it.”
