Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to transfer staff members of the Government House who were previously part of the administration under his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
The APC leaders, speaking through their spokesman, Momodu Adams, expressed concern that these civil servants had become accustomed to working with Obaseki, and maintaining them in their current roles could pose a security risk.
Adams emphasized the need for the redeployment of staff, including the Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Edith Sede, and even those as far down the ranks as caterers. He pointed out that the recent leak of confidential memos from the Government House made it untenable for the governor to retain the current staff.
According to Adams, Sede is a known ally of Obaseki and the former Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie. She continues to work closely with civil servants who served in Obaseki’s administration, which has caused frustration among Okpebholo’s appointees.
He claimed that during major state events, Sede enlists loyalists of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Obaseki to handle official arrangements, including catering.
Adams also raised concerns that some of these retained staff, who served under Obaseki, are creating disarray within the Government House. This includes retaining cooks who had previously worked for Obaseki’s administration, leading to fears among the appointees that they might be poisoned.
He added that there are growing worries within the APC leadership about the continued leakage of confidential documents to PDP figures, including Ogie and Asue Ighodalo, who are allegedly attempting to challenge Governor Okpebholo’s victory at the Tribunal.
