With just 30 days left in his tenure, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has requested the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to constitute a transition team to facilitate a seamless handover.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Joseph Eboigbe, conveyed this in a statement on Sunday in Benin City.
Eboigbe explained that the incoming administration’s transition team would interface with the outgoing government to ensure continuity.
Governor Obaseki will conclude his two-term, eight-year tenure on November 12, 2024. He will hand over to Senator Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, who emerged victorious in the September 21, 2024, governorship election with 291,667 votes.
Okpebholo defeated 17 other candidates, including his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,274 votes.
In a letter dated October 10, 2024, addressed to the governor-elect, Eboigbe emphasized the importance of early collaboration between both administrations.
“As we prepare for the transition of power, it is crucial to establish a smooth and effective collaboration between your team and our current administration,” the letter read.
The letter invited Okpebholo and the APC to initiate the formation of their transition team to enable “meaningful discussions and the exchange of vital information for a seamless transfer of responsibilities.”
Eboigbe also proposed October 14, 2024, for the inaugural meeting of both transition committees.
“We are committed to providing you with the necessary support and resources to make this transition effective and efficient,” the statement added.
“We look forward to working closely with you in the coming weeks to lay a solid foundation for a successful administration that meets the expectations of our constituents.”
The letter was reportedly received by Mr. Joy Oyere, an administrative secretary at the APC secretariat in Edo State, though no official response has been provided yet.
InfoStride News recalls that in July 2024, Governor Obaseki inaugurated a 20-member transition committee led by SSG Joseph Eboigbe to oversee the smooth transfer of power and institutional knowledge to the incoming administration.
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