PDP, Edo govt bicker over alleged civil servants’ sack

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has expressed disappointment over the sacking of civil servants in the state by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The caretaker spokesman for the state’s PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who stated this in a statement on Thursday, described the development as condemnable and unacceptable.

This is even as the state government described the issue raised by the fractional PDP as a joke taken too far.

Nehikhare alleged that many of the dismissed workers were left in uncertain conditions, plunging numerous families and dependents into a sudden state of disarray amid the current economic challenges he said were inflicted on the people due to the gross mismanagement of the national economy by the APC-led government.

He described the action as callous, reckless, and unjust and a troubling sign of what may lie ahead under the new administration.

He said the government’s harsh start is a direct assault on Edo workers and the people of the state.

“This is totally condemnable and unacceptable. How can a governor begin to sack workers in the state barely 24 hours after he was sworn in? This callous and rash action of the governor is a direct assault on workers and the people of the state, and we condemn it in its entirety.

“It is reminiscent of the dark days of the military when after they illegally take over power, they begin to sack and dismiss civil and public servants, using words such as “with immediate effect and automatic alacrity”

“Could this just be the beginning of the harsh and inhumane policies and decisions we are to see under the new administration of Monday Okpebholo? Is this a sad tale sign of what the government portends for the people of Edo State?

“If this is how the governor begins his first day in office, what hope do we have for the months ahead? How can a governor kick off his administration by throwing families into hardship?” he queried.

“This is the height of wickedness and insensitivity and does not bode well for our state.

“It’s clear that this administration has no regard for the welfare of workers and ordinary citizens because how do you begin your tenure by throwing families into poverty?

“I think Okpebholo is only bringing home to Edo State the suffering and hardship already inflicted on the country and its people by the APC government at the centre. We should not be surprised but expect more of such harsh and insane actions to impoverish the people further,” Nehikhare added.

Reacting to PDP’s allegation, the government, in a statement Thursday evening by the Chief Press Secretary of the governor, Fred Itua, said no civil servants were sacked.

He said those asked to go were political appointees of the last administration in the state.

“For the records, the statement released on Wednesday by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, did not sack any civil servants. Besides, no governor sacks civil servants through a media pronouncement.

“Those asked to go were appointees of the last administration in the state. The factional PDP in Edo State is ignorant, and its members need to be gainfully engaged.

“Anyone in the State’s civil service that is an appointee has nothing to fear. But if you are a product of the last MoU government and appointed by Obaseki, the rule of law must stand,” Itua said.