EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Friday dissolved the state executive council ahead of his inauguration on Monday for a second term of office.
Oshiomhole made the announcement at valedictory executive counsil session in the state capital of Benin, expressing his gratitude to the members of his cabinet for working with his administration to the benefit of the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to say how much I appreciate your efforts,” said the governor, adding that it has been four years of productive leadership.
“Four years down the road, working together, arguing, debating, even sometimes disagreeing, we have provided a collective leadership to the people of Edo State.
According to Oshiomhole, the Edo State commissioners worked hard despite that they were the least paid commissioners in the country.
“I want to thank you very much for what God has used you to do for me and your state. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made. I thought it wise that having worked so hard, it is right to appreciate you,” he said.
“On Sunday, I recognize it will be full time for the first tenure of this administration and when it is full time, no matter how interesting the game is, the referee must blow the whistle and end the game.”
“The life of this council comes to an end on Sunday, not today, because that is when the end of the first tenure of this administration will come to an end. So, you are still commissioners even after this statement till 11.59p.m Sunday,’’ he said
Outgoing Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Osagie Obayuwana, responded on behalf of his colleages and thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity and the free hand to serve.
“The experience of working with the governor ha(s) been a school of leadership for us, which was defined by the highest level of congeniality,” Mr. Obayiwana stated.
“I doubt if there is any other exco in any other state in the country comparable to the one we had here,” he added, saying that the Council’s valedictory session “is a day of celebration because an example has been set that when there is a will, there will always be a way, and this will endure for all time.’’