By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpevbolo, is set to grant Etsako West an additional commissioner position in his newly formed cabinet.
An investigation by Borderline News 24 reveals that the governor has, in principle, approved the allocation of an extra slot for the local government due to current circumstances.
In his earlier appointments, Dr. Cyril Oshiomole, the son of former Gov Adams Oshiomole, was named the state Commissioner for Health.
However, leaders of the Etsako West APC said the appointment was a personal choice made by the governor for reasons best known to him.
Sources within the Etsako APC said the agitation for more commissioner slots in Etsako West was propelled by the realization that the appointment of Dr Cyril Oshiomole as a commissioner did not align with the recommendations made by local APC leaders concerning potential candidates.
It appears Gov Okpevbolo may have made concessions to calm frayed nerves as well as retain the support of the APC leaders in the locality
The potential beneficiary of the latest approval is likely to be the Auchi.
Etsako political watchers believe Auchi deserves the additional slot as it will help to correct the perceived political imbalance occasioned by the appointment of Sen Adams Oshiomole’s son
Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole belongs to the Uzairue clan, representing Constituency 1 in local political terms.
Constituency 2 of the local government comprised of Auchi and 3 wards often referred to as Club 3, includes Agbede, Anwain and jagbe.
However, an Agbede native, Hon. Gani Audu, was able to secure the influential position of Chief of Staff to the governor, leaving room for Auchi to potentially gain the additional slot of commissioner.
Regardless of the outcome, the rest of the Edo North district will continue to voice concerns about marginalization by their Etsako counterparts, who have developed a tendency to “grab” every available political position, often excluding others.
In the days and weeks ahead, it will be interesting to see how Governor Okpevbolo plans to balance these conflicting political interests as he seeks to solidify his power.
