....It's transition, not inquisitive c'ttee -- Govt
The Edo State Joint Transition Committee has adjourned sine die following alleged inability of officials of the out-going government to provide the required documents germane to the assignment.
But when contacted, the Commissioner for. Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the APC committee was making inquiries, which he said was outside their mandate of transiting to them what the out-going government has done and that some of their inquiries would be contained in the handover notes of Governor Godwin Obaseki to the governor-elect, Sen. Okpebholo.
Speaking with journalists in Benin City, Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, Transition Committee, Patrick Ikhariale, said both parties had agreed to meet when the required information or documents were given to them.
According to Ikhariale, the issue was that the APC transition committee members have had series of discussions with the transition committee on the side of the outgoing government.
"Unfortunately, the nature of materials that they have supplied to us do not address any of the issues on the table.
"We have interfaced with the relevant officers of the government including the Secretary to State Government, SSG, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, and they agreed with us on October 2024, to do exactly what we asked for, because what they had supplied us at best has not addressed the issue substantially in any form and we have expected by this morning that that will be done.
"We also had a meaningful and strong discussion. We need a set of documents that will address the issues we have raised, and that is where we are.
"We also agreed that today (Tuesday) he (Eboigbe) has to discuss with His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki and get back to us.
"And in any case, the information or documents we're asking for are in line with global best practices, we are not asking for anything out of the ordinary. So, it is on record that we have done the needful.
"As we speak, a letter has been sent to them and we do hope that what we have discussed and agreed on as at yesterday would be executed for us to progress and have the joint meetings we are supposed to have and that is the position.
"We are waiting for him to reach out to the governor like he said to know the next line of action to take as to how and when they are giving us the needed documents.
"And we have also as a committee said whatever document or information they want to give to us, give it to us at least within 24 hours before the meeting time to enable us look through it, peruse and have an informed position to discuss so that we don't go there and be discussing in abstract or discussing things that are not relevant to the subject matter of the day. So, these I believe we have agreed on, by both sides.
"Hopefully, if today or tomorrow we get the required information and documennts, we will reconvene and do the needful."
It's transition, not inquisitive c'ttee --Govt
Nehikhare told Vanguard, "We are a transition committee and not an inquisitive committee that they are trying to make themselves look like. The global practice is to present what we have done, where we are and what has not been done.
"They claim we are only showcasing what we have done but these are the same people that said Obaseki did not do anything, we are supposed to transit all that we have done and yet to do to them and some of the other details will be in the hand over notes of the governor.
"During our first joint meeting, we did announce how we would do the presentations to them and some other questions they are asking are all embedded in these presentations."
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Odubu, Afolabi, Ize-Iyamu, Afegbua make c'ttee
Meanwhile, APC in Edo State has officially announced the 24-member transition committee tasked with working alongside the outgoing administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The committee is led by Chief Pius Odubu, who will spearhead the team in ensuring a smooth handover to the incoming government of Senator Monday Okpebholo.
This was confirmed in a letter by Mr. Emperor Tenebe, APC Chairman, Edo State, and addressed to Governor Obaseki.
The letter expressed the party's readiness for a collaborative transition process.Prominent figures in the committee include Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Ernest Umakhihe and Kazeem Afegbua.
Other members include Dr. Matthew Urhoghide, Andrew Enwanta, and Omosede Igbinedion.
