Okpebholo Suspends Recruitment Into Edo Civil Service 

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has ordered the suspension of recruitment into the state’s civil service until further notice.

Governor Okpebholo also directed a comprehensive review of all recruitment exercises carried out by the administration of the immediate-past governor, Godwin Obaseki between May-November 2024.

The directives are contained in a communication signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor on Friday, where Governor Okpebholo accused heads of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of carrying out clandestine recruitment exercises into the state’s civil service.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua disclosing the directives in a statement on Friday quoted the document to read: “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo is in receipt of report of the clandestine activities being perpetuated by some Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of Government in the State.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that these bodies have continued to issue back-dated letters of employment to their cronies without due process.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this Administration believes in the principle of fairness and equity which expects that all employment exercise should be merit based, competitive and accessible to all Edo indigenes.

“In light of the foregoing and in order to arrest this ugly trend, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has directed the immediate suspension of all employment processes as well as the review of all appointments carried out since May, 2024 by Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of Government,” the statement read.

It directed heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to note and comply with the order.