Governor of Edo state, Monday Okpebholo has ordered a comprehensive probe into the state civil service recruitment under former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration between May and November 2024.
Gatekeepers News reports that secretary to the state government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor announced this through a statement released on Friday.
Ikhilor noted that recruitment into the state’s civil service has been suspended until further notice.
The Governor accused heads of various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of carrying out “clandestine” recruitment exercises into the civil service.
Ikhilor added that initial findings showed that some employment letters were backdated and issued irregularly without proper procedures.
The statement goes, “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.”
He reiterated the current administration’s commitment to uphold fairness and equity, ensuring all employment exercises are merit-based, competitive, and accessible.
The statement added, “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 Governor asked MDAs to immediately comply with the directives.
