By DADA AYOKHAI
Hon. John Osi Akhigbe, a commissioner designate from Etsako Central Local Government, was notably absent from the list of 19 commissioners recently sworn in by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, at the Government House in Benin City.
Hon. Akhigbe is a well-known figure in Etsako Central, having served as the Council boss and also a former aide to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole,
His nomination as a commissioner designate from Etsako Central Local Government was met with congratulatory messages from his supporters, particularly from his local government area.
His supporters were excited about his nomination and were looking forward to his inauguration as a commissioner. However, their excitement was short-lived as his name was conspicuously missing from the list of commissioners sworn in by the governor.
The sudden turn of events has left his supporters wondering what went wrong and why he was denied the opportunity to serve as a commissioner.
Instead, probably to save his face or the situation he got inaugurated as Chairman of the newly created Scholarship and Bursary Board, with his appointment letter backdated to September 14, 2025.
The reason for his denial of inauguration as a commissioner was not provided by the state government .
The other nominee from Etsako central local government ,Mrs Eugenia Abdallah was sworn in as the commissioner for Women Affairs
. This move has sparked questions about why he was dropped from the commissioner position and why a backdated letter was used for his new appointment
