Edo SSG resigns ahead of gov poll

The Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, has resigned to pursue his political ambition.

Ogie, who tendered his resignation on August 9, 2024, is the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the September 21 election, Asue Ighodalo.

Ogie said his resignation is in conformity with the electoral law which mandates political appointees who want to contest elections to resign 30 days before the election.

He stated, “My resignation is in fulfilment of this requirement that I had to resign to face my deputy governorship ambition in the forthcoming election in the state.”

Reacting to the resignation, the publisher of Midwest Herald, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, described Ogie as a colossus who bestrode Edo State politics and shaped it like no other statesman.

Omo-Ojo, who was in the cabinet Class of 2012 with Ogie under the administration of Adams Oshiomohle, said, “The humane, clement and tolerant Ogie bows out of office as Secretary to Edo State Government after a meritorious service to the state that lasted two months short of 16 years.”

Also, Kehinde Akerele, twin brother to former Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Taiwo Akerele, while congratulating Ogie, described him as a great man who has always operated an open door policy both in the office and at home.

“The first time I had a personal encounter with you, (Ogie), I went home thinking, so this is the way the SSG operates. From the gate to your living room, nobody asked me who I was looking for. The next day, you asked me to see you in the office with another person, it was still the same thing, all the doors were open. Indeed you are a great man. I wish you well in your future endeavours, good health, long life and prosperity, sir”, Akerele said.

Before now, Ogie was the Principal Partner, Osarodion Ogie & Co.

He was also the Chief of Staff to Oshiomohle in 2008 and later appointed Commissioner for Works from 2012 to 2016 when he became SSG to Obaseki, a position he held until his resignation on Friday, August 9, 2024.