Edo Guber Race: Obaseki’s Information Commissioner, Ohonbamu Quits

• Gov okays Stewart Efe as replacement

BY EDMOND ODOK – With heightening political tension ahead of this month’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Edo State, embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki has lost another of his close ally in the struggle.

Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, is the latest to resign from the administration “for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens”.

But the governor has already filled the vacuum by appointing Mr Stewart Efe as the new Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, according to the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq

The former Commissioner had in his resignation letter, addressed to Governor Obaseki, thanked him for the opportunity to serve the state.

According to Ohonbamu: “I hereby tender my letter of resignation as a commissioner in Edo State to His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, this 4th day of June, 2020.

“Without setting a precedent, I have decided to step aside as cabinet member and operate outside‎ it for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens”.

Though the ex-Commissioner, a lawyer, refused to state any reason behind his quitting the Obaseki cabinet, he expressed gratitude to the governor for indulging him in his purposeful and sophisticated administration.

The former Commissioner thanked the ever loyal members of the Edo State Executive Council (SEC), adding that he was particularly delighted that Governor Obaseki’s re-election bid was firm and surefooted.

“Whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore, our everlasting farewell take. If we do meet, while we shall smile, if not, it is true this parting was well made”, Ohonbamu said.

Meanwhile, the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as the new Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation.

A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq, on Thursday said the appointment takes “immediate effect.”

“The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as Commissioner for Communication and Orientation. His appointment takes immediate effect,” he said.

Until his appointment, Efe was the Public Relations Officer, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City and hails from Ward 9, Egor Local Government Area of the State.

Considered as a top contender for the Chairmanship of Egor LGA, in the last local council elections, Efe had to eventually step down in the overall interest of the party.

Inside sources within the Edo State Government House hinted that Ohonbamu’s resignation may not be unconnected with issues of marginalization and being sidelined in the scheme of things where the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, allegedly took over his responsibilities.

The wave of resignation began about two months ago when the Obaseki’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Anti-Human Trafficking Issues, Solomon Okoduwa, left the government for some undisclosed reasons.

Another high profiled exit from the administration took place on April 25, 2020 with the resignation of his Chief of Staff (CoS), Chief Taiwo Akerele, an indigene of Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the State.