BENIN CITY – Less than seven months to the end of his tenure as governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has approved the a new minimum wage of seventy thousand naira (N70,000) for civil servants in Edo State.
Precise Post reports that Obaseki made the declaration on Monday while inaugurating the Labour House in the state.
Obaseki named the Labour House after Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north and immediate-past governor of Edo.
Recall that in 2016 when Oshiomhole administration was winding up, Oshiomhole anointed his successor in the person of Godwin Obaseki, who was then the chairman of the state Economic and Strategic Unit.
It was gathered that most of the leaders of the party from Edo South were opposed to Oshiomhole anointing Obaseki but the former labour leader ignored their advice and ensured he had his way.
It was not an easy decision for him to make, particularly when his then deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, his political foot soldier, Osarodion Ogie, former Minister of Works, Engr. Chris Ogienwonyi and Gen. Charles Airhiavbere were in the race.
Both Ogienwonyi and Airhiavbere were men with deep pockets and Obaseki would not have survived their onslaught if not for unwavering support of Oshiomhole. Apart from the duo, Oshiomhole persuaded Ogie, to step down for Obaseki but Odubu who was enjoying the support of the veteran politicians in the state went to the field due to his strong conviction that his political experience would give him victory at the primaries.
However, his boss Oshiomhole, who knew his strength was able to stop him at the primaries. That was how Obaseki emerged the APC candidate and eventually governor of Edo state.
The candidate of the PDP in that election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu who was a strong member of the ACN then was equally a big threat to the APC but Oshiomhole used his foot soldiers such as Obudu, Osakpawa Eriyo (No molest), Patrick Obahiagbon, Ogie, Charles Idahosa, Lucy Omagbon and her husband Harrison, Lawrence Orka, Chief Osarodion Idah and many others to deliver Obaseki in Edo South where Ize-Iyamu is very popular. At the end of that very fierce contest Obaseki emerged governor, Oshiomhole’s political son, Philip Shaibu became his Deputy while Ogie is currently the Secretary to the state Government.
Oshiomhole said Obaseki was an economic expert. He made people to believe so but they never knew about his personal relationship with people. The moment he became governor, of course he took control, and severed relationship with those who brought to him to power. Osakpanwa, the then youth leader of the party was arrested and thrown to Oko prison. Osakpanwa was one of the first people Oshiomhole convinced to work for Obaseki during the primaries. He was said to have spent his personal resources due to his family ties with the Obasekis.
But he fell out in the new order. Apart from Osakpanwa, Shaba, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, Dr Okoro who was the Oredo party chairman, and practically all the APC ward chairmen in the governor’s Oredo Local Government Area, Sunday Osaguana (Sunny Shark) including Madam Lorettar, Oredo woman leader, were arrested and detained but were later released. As a matter of fact, Chief Inegbeneki was declared wanted until Oshiomhole intervened in the issue between him and the governor.
Apart from these party leaders who suffered detention, APC leaders such as Dr Odubu, Charles Idahosa, Oshiomhole’s former political Adviser, Samson Osagie, Gen.Charles Airiavbere, Engr. Chris Ogienwonyi, Lucy Omagbon and her husband Harrison and many other party leaders were completely alienated from the party.
Again, as the Godwin Obaseki’s tenure approaches its expiration in the next six months plus period, he has reunited with his former boss by naming the Labour House after him.
However, political pundits are of the view that increasing minimum wage at this point is putting a load and burden on the incoming governor which might weigh him down or set him against the Edo people right from the beginning of his tenure. What is your take, leave your comment.