In a dramatic twist of events, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo on Thursday redeployed the suspended Commissioner for Livestock Development, Professor Omorodion Ignatius Ikponmwosa, to the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
The redeployment of Professor Ikponmwosa, who was suspended on July 19, 2026, alongside the State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (LPRES) Project, Mrs Ikpikhumi Betsy Aghaku, by the governor for alleged “official infraction”, has set tongues wagging in the state, as no official explanation was given for the commissioner’s recall.
More so, while Ikponmwosa’s suspension lasted, the state government did not provide any further explanation of the nature of the alleged “official infraction” he committed. Neither was any explanation or apology given for the three-week suspension before he was recalled.
Announcing the redeployment and recall in a press statement endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Umar Musa Ikhilor, the government stated that two other newly sworn-in commissioners had been deployed, while Professor Ikponmwosa was redeployed alongside two other serving commissioners in an “exercise aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing efficiency and improving service delivery across the State”.
The statement listed the newly sworn-in commissioners deployed as Mr Iriabekhai Kayode Jeffery, who was assigned the Ministry of Mining, and Mr Martin Anayochukwu Oli, who was assigned the Ministry of Inter-Ethnic Relations.
“Furthermore, in order to better align responsibilities with the respective skills, experience and competencies of members of the State Executive Council, His Excellency has approved the following redeployments: Mr Ohimai Ehijimetor, Commissioner for Communications, is redeployed to the Ministry of Livestock Development; Prof. Omorodion Ikponmwosa, Commissioner for Livestock Development, is redeployed to the Ministry of Oil and Gas; and Mr Andrew Momodu, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, is redeployed to the Ministry of Communications.”
The statement added that the Ministry of Inter-Ethnic Relations “is a newly created Ministry established to promote inter-ethnic and inter-community harmony, strengthen peaceful coexistence, and harness the rich and ever-evolving diversity of Edo citizens as an asset for the development and unity of the state.”
All deployments and redeployments, it added, “are with immediate effect”, just as it urged the affected commissioners to ensure a seamless handover and assumption of duties in their respective ministries.
The governor, the statement added, “expects all members of the State Executive Council to bring renewed vigour, professionalism and commitment to their respective assignments in furtherance of the administration’s determination to deliver efficient, responsive and people-centred governance to the people of Edo State.”
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV