Crusoe Osagie, the spokesman of Edo State former Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has faulted Governor Monday Okpebholo’s choice of membership nominees into the State’s Civil Service Commission.
The Commission midwifes recruitment drive into the State’s workforce, oversees promotion of Civil servants and discipline.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa ikhilor on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, said Oko-Ose Samuel Ozemhonyelea from Edo Central Senatorial District, emerged will serve Chairman of the Commission, while Deborah O. Enakhimion and Mrs. Monica lgbadumhe will serve as members from Edo North Senatorial District.
Other nominees awaiting the confirmation of the State House of Assembly in the statement dated on the 20th Day of August 2025 are: Elder David Ovbiosa Odaro from Edo South Senatorial District and Isikpe Irene Kadiri from Edo North Senatorial District, were also nominated as members of the Commission.
The names of the nominees which have been forwarded to the Edo State House of
Assembly for consideration and confirmation, according to the Government.
But Obaseki’s spokesman, Crusoe Osagie, described the move as ridiculous and shameful to Edo South ruling All Progressives Congress leaders who chose to look elsewhere at the systemic delegation of their people in lobe-sided appointments made by Governor Okpebholo.
Osagie who spoke recently in an interview with a popular Nigerian Blogger at Leeds in United Kingdom, lamented that Edo South Senatorial District has over 50 percent of the voting population and contributes over 60 percent of revenue to the State coffers.
He, wondered why the people should be sidelines in area of appointments unlike the former Governor, Obaseki who gave a fair share in allocation of resources and appointments to the various Senatorial Districts according to the ratio of their population and size, despite criticisms.
Osagie who hails from Oredo Local Government Area in the State, stated that governance is not about any ethnic identity or Obaseki supporters or Okpebholo’ supporters, but about committing to equity, including in appointments that strike delicate balance.
Osagie said, “The most unfortunate thing that is going on in Edo State is the systemic relegation of the people of Edo South to the background. It’s ridiculous. It’s shameful. It’s disgrace to those in APC who say they are leaders and that they are from Edo South.
“For example, a couple of days ago, the list of five people – members of the Board of Civil Service Commission: chairman and members list was released by the State Government. That list had two people from Edo North, while Edo South had one, while the Chairman of the Commission is from Edo South Senatorial District.
“Edo South has over 50 percent population. In addition, Edo South contributes over 50 percent of Edo State revenue. So, on what ground did they pick only one person to represent Edo South in the State Civil Service Commission, which is responsible for the recruitment of persons into the Civil Service?
“Because the wheel of justice is not executed speedily, men have set ehri hearts to doing evil. One day, judgement will come upon those who opress Edo people.
“If Okpebholo choses to make only 12 percent he represents in Edo State his people, then, for me,.I think that is a political suicide”, according to Osagie said, “Benin people will tell him that they own the State”.
Denying alleged marginalization of Esan people during Obaseki’s tenure as Governor of Edo State, Osagie said, “Obaseki was not that kind of “a leader who picked some people and called them his own”.
“Edo South got the highest share under Obaseki, according to what is commensurate to their population and contributions to the State coffers.
According to him, “There is nothing like Obaseki or Okpebholo’s people, but Edo people. Therefore, there must be equitable in distribution of opportunities, infrastructure and political appointments, including assets and liabilities of the State”.
Continuing, Osagie said, “Obaseki’s men are still in Okpebholo’s government. For instance, John Inegbedion – Esan man who was Obaseki’s Commissioner for Finance during his first tenure as Governor.
“The same Inegbedion was the Commissioner for Infrastructure during the second tenure of Obaseki.
“He (Inegbedion) went to run for Senate and lost. He returned after he lost that election, and Obaseki made him Chairman of Edo Inland Revenue Service”, Osagie stated despite Inegbedion’s recent defection to APC.
