Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered a thorough review of all recruitment activities conducted by the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki between May and November 2024.
The governor also announced an immediate suspension of all new recruitments into the state’s civil service, citing concerns over covert recruitment practices by heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor, Governor Okpebholo revealed that his administration had received reports of unauthorized recruitment by various state bodies, including commissions, boards, and parastatals.
Preliminary investigations indicated that some agencies were issuing backdated employment letters, bypassing the standard recruitment processes.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized his administration’s commitment to ensuring fairness, equity, and merit-based recruitment procedures that are accessible to all Edo indigenes.
He directed that all recruitment processes be suspended and that the appointments made since May 2024 be reviewed. Heads of MDAs were instructed to strictly adhere to the new directive.
In a related development, the governor announced the formation of a 12-member committee tasked with recovering missing government vehicles under the previous administration.
The committee, which will be chaired by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given two weeks to complete its assignment.
Okungbowa confirmed that the committee would work diligently to ensure that all government vehicles currently in private hands are recovered and returned to the state.
The committee vice-chairman, former Edo State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, assured that they would carry out the task in full compliance with the law.
He also appealed to the public to report any information regarding government vehicles that are still in private possession, so that they can be promptly recovered.
