How Obaseki’s Appointee Is Frustrating Okpebholo’s Policy Agenda

A Major shake-up is looming in the Edo State Government House following mounting pressure from prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders who have raised alarm over what they describe as internal sabotage allegedly orchestrated by Mrs. Edith Sede, the Permanent Secretary of Government House and Protocol.

In a strongly worded statement, the Edo APC Leaders of Thought, through their spokesman, Momodu Adams, accused Mrs Sede, a senior bureaucrat who served under Governor Godwin Obaseki’s immediate past administration, of working at cross purposes with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration’s agenda.

“We are concerned about the continued presence of certain officials from the last administration, especially in critical offices such as Government House and Protocol,” Adams stated. “There have been incidents of leaked documents and bureaucratic delays affecting governance. Governor Okpebholo deserves a team that is fully committed to his vision.”

The group alleged that sensitive government information has been leaking to external parties and expressed fears that this may undermine the administration’s cohesion and performance.

They called for urgent measures to restore confidence and loyalty within the civil service ranks.

According to the APC leaders, many civil servants in strategic offices still owe allegiance to the Obaseki administration, thereby creating friction within the new government’s operations. “There are instances where government processes have been delayed or obstructed, which is unacceptable,” Adams added.

The group urged Governor Okpebholo to urgently reorganise the inner workings of Government House and appoint a team that aligns with his developmental blueprint, emphasising the need for a workforce loyal to the current administration.

Efforts to obtain comments from Mrs Sede were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

However, some government sources have defended the civil service, insisting that civil servants are professionals trained to serve the state irrespective of political changes.

As pressure mounts, observers believe Governor Okpebholo may soon make sweeping changes within his administration to consolidate control and ensure policy coherence.