Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, has resigned his membership of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s executive council.
He announced his resignation in a terse letter he signed and addressed to Governor Obaseki.
He was immediately replaced by Mr. Stewart Efe.
Ohonbamu in his resignation letter, said his resignation took effect from today.
“Without setting a precedent, I have decided to step aside as cabinet member and operate outside‎ it for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens,” he wrote.
He however expressed gratitude to the Governor‎ for in‎dulging him in his “purposeful and sophisticated administration”.
“I greet you, Sir, and the ever loyal members of the state executive council. I am particularly delighted that his Excellency’s second term bid is firm and sure-footed.
“Whenever we shall meet again I know not. Therefore, our everlasting farewell take. If we do meet, why, what shall smile, if not, it is true this parting was well-meaning,” he said.
When contacted, Ohonbamu, a lawyer, confirmed his resignation but declined to make further comments.
In a statement announcing the appointment of the new Commissioner, the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said:
“Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation.
Ogie added that the appointment takes “immediate effect.”
Until his appointment, Stewart Efe was the Public Relations Officer of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City.
Obaseki’s information commissioner resigns
by Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief
Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, has resigned from Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
Ohonbamu, in his resignation letter, which was addressed to Obaseki, thanked him for the opportunity to serve the state.
He said: “I hereby tender my letter of resignation as a commissioner in Edo State to His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, this 4th day of June, 2020.
“Without setting a precedent, I have decided to step aside as cabinet member and operate outside‎ it for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens”.
The former information commissioner, a lawyer, also expressed gratitude to Obaseki for indulging him in his purposeful and sophisticated administration.
He thanked the ever loyal members of the Edo state executive council, stating that he was particularly delighted that the governor’s re-election bid was firm and surefooted.
Ohonbamu added: “Whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore, our everlasting farewell take. If we do meet, while we shall smile, if not, it is true this parting was well made.”
He confirmed writing and signing the resignation on phone with our reporter, but declined to disclose the real reason for throwing in the towel.
It was gathered that Ohonbamu resigned for being sidelined, especially with Edo governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, taking over his duties, which he had endured for so long, but got fed up and he decided to quit.
Osagie’s mobile line was not available as at press time, to react to the allegations.
On April 25 this year, Obaseki’s ex-Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, an indigene of Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo state, threw in the towel for also being sidelined, in view of his clamour for reconciliation between Edo governor and his benefactor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
Two months earlier, Edo governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Anti-Human Trafficking Issues, Solomon Okoduwa, also resigned for undisclosed reasons, but said he decided to move on and to explore other opportunities.