From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the government, yesterday, traded words over alleged sacking of civil servants in the state.
The recently inaugurated Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee and immediate past Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement, expressed outrage and disappointment over the sacking of civil servants by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The statement said many of the dismissed workers were left in uncertain conditions, plunging numerous families and dependents into a sudden state of disarray amid the current economic challenges, which was inflicted on the people due to the gross mismanagement of the national economy by the governor’s All Progressives Congress-led government.
It described the alleged sack as callous, reckless and unjust and a troubling sign of what may lie ahead under the new administration, adding that the government’s harsh start is a direct assault on Edo workers and the people of the State.
“This is totally condemnable and unacceptable. How can a governor begin to sack workers in the State barely 24 hours after he was sworn in? This callous and rash action of the governor is a direct assault on workers and the people of the State, and we condemn it in its entirety. It is reminiscent of the dark days of the military when after they illegally takeover power, they begin to sack and dismiss civil and public servants, using words such as ‘with immediate effect and automatic alacrity.’
“Could this just be the beginning of the harsh and inhumane policies and decisions we are to see under the new administration of Monday Okpebholo? Is this a sad tale sign of what the government portends for the people of Edo State? If this is how the governor begins his first day in office, what hope do we have for the months ahead? How can a governor kick off his administration by throwing families into hardship?”
“This is the height of wickedness and insensitivity and does not bode well for our State.
“It’s clear that this administration has no regard for the welfare of workers and ordinary citizens because how do you begin your tenure by throwing families into poverty?
“I think Okpebholo is only bringing home to Edo State the suffering and hardship already inflicted on the country and its people by the APC government at the centre. We should not be surprised but expect more of such harsh and insane actions to impoverish the people further,” Nehikhare said.
But a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, described the PDP claim as a “joke taken too far” as the government did not sack civil servants.
“…The PDP is yet to recover from the crushing defeat it suffered during the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo, since his inauguration on Tuesday, has since hit the ground running and trying to fix the mess created by the immediate-past MoU governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.
“For the records, the statement released on Wednesday by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, did not sack any civil servants. Besides, no Governor sacks civil servants through a media pronouncement.
“Those asked to go were appointees of the last administration in the State. The factional PDP in Edo State is ignorant, and its members need to be gainfully engaged.
“Anyone in the State’s civil service that is not an appointee has nothing to fear. But if you are a product of the last MoU government and appointed by Obaseki, the rule of law must stand”, the government said.