…. appeals to Governor Okpebholo for rescue
A group in Oredo chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has appealed to Edo State Governor and leader of the party in the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo to wade into the alleged lopsided appointments into his government and sharing of political offices in Oredo Local Government Area which the group said was in favour of Ward 7.
In a statement signed by Obasuyi osadiaye on behalf of the group and made available to newsmen in Benin City, accused the state secretary of APC Hon. Lawrence Okah of allegedly masterminding the marginalisation of the other 11 wards in Oredo Local Government Area, noting that all the appointments made so far by the present APC government were in Oredo Ward 7.
This development according to the group is causing palpable tension in Oredo Local Government Area as a result of the one sided appointments to favour one ward out of the 12 wards that make up Oredo LGA.
The Concerned Oredo APC group noted that “Oredo Local Government Area in Edo State has 12 wards, explaining that these wards are further divided into various polling units but the APC secretary Lawrence Okah has used his office to outrightly left the remaining 11 wards to wallow in absolute neglect carried along in the present administration.
The group specifically named ten positions being occupied by members of Oredo Ward 7 among which are, “State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC; Oredo Local Government APC Party Chairman, LGA Assistant Treasurer of APC, Edo House of Assembly Member, representing Oredo West Constituency, LGA Publicity Secretary of APC, LGA member, Edo Produce Board; Member representing Edo South in Oil and Gas who happens to be the son of the state Secretary of APC, Mr. Laurence Okah; Three Senior Special Assistants and 2 Special Assistants to the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly; 15 Oredo revenue collectors, Supervisory Councilor, Oredo and many more.”
The group in Oredo Council Area frowned at this development where only ward 7 has taken the aformentioned positions and still agitating for the chairmanship position of the local government where 12 wards exist, describing it as undemocratic and an affront to the principles of equity, justice and fair play in the scheme of things.
Most worrisome according to the group is the boasting aspect of the secretary saying the governor has his ears and listen to everything he says “Reason is about picking one Gabriel Iduseri also known as Gabros from ward 7 as the sole candidate for Oredo Local Government Chairman in the forthcoming election.
They appealed to the state Governor to allow other wards in the council area to also have a representation in the council as well as at the state government level.
They expressed optimism that the Governor, following his track records of strictness, would listen to them and correct the one sided appointments
as they further appealed to him to use his good office to allow any other wards to produce the Chairman for equity and fairness.
Attempts to get the reaction of the Edo Secretary of APC, Hon. Lawrence Okah failed as he was said to be busy somewhere with party and state matters. But a source close to him which craved anonymity described the accusations of the group as baseless, adding that appointments by Governor Okpebholo in Oredo so far has been spread across all the wards in the Local Government Area, advising members of the group to shun rumour mongering.