With immediate effect, Governor Monday Okpebholo has suspended all Edo State market unions and associations.
The governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has given his approval for the state’s public service recruiting to be halted till further notice. This was revealed by Okpebholo on Friday in a statement that was signed by Fred Itua, his chief press secretary..
The statement further claims that Okpebholo has mandated a thorough examination of all hiring practices conducted by the government of Godwin Obaseki from May to November 2024.
The statement also disclosed that the Governor accused heads of several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of conducting covert recruitment drives into the state’s civil service in a separate communication notice signed by Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor, on Friday.
It stated that initial research indicates that these organizations have persisted in providing their friends with backdated job letters without following the proper procedures.
Okpebholo then 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 notice read: “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”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this Administration believes in the principle of fairness and equity which expects that all employment exercise should be merit based, competitive and accessible to all Edo indigenes”.
“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”.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to note and comply with
the above directive.”