EXCLUSIVE: Fresh facts emerge on why Edo Gov. Obaseki’s ex-CoS, Akerele, resigned

Fresh facts have emerged on why Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki’s former chief of staff, Taiwo Akerele, resigned his appointment, THE WITNESS reports.

Recall Akerele had resigned his position Saturday last week citing personal differences with the governor whom he said was sidelining him in running the state. Twenty four hours later, the governor approved the appointment of Osaze Ethan Uzamere, son of Senator Ehigie Uzamere, who represented Edo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2011, as his new chief of staff.

Further digs by THE WITNESS, however, revealed that Governor Obaseki, who is gunning for a second term, cast aside his former chief of staff from active participation in the state governance because of his (Akerele’s) perceived closeness with his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. The Edo governor has been in political fisticuffs with Oshiomhole for months.

A close source in the government further told our correspondent that Governor Obaseki saw his former chief of staff as a mole in the system whom he believed was the channel through which vital government secrets and information were leaked out to the Oshiomhole’s faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

According to the source: “The governor believes Akerele was a mole in the government. From the day the governor discovered, he took a decision to keep him out of the running of the system.

“The governor had wanted to just manage till the end of his tenure to avoid any controversies his sack may precipitate.

“As chief of staff, the governor understands that Akerele had vital information that could make or mar him, hence, he was advised to just manage the situation till the end of his first tenure.

“That was the reason his resignation was not at first accepted by the governor who pressured him to deny the report of his resignation by the media, but Akerele stood his ground despite the emissaries sent to him by the governor to change his decision.”

THE WITNESS reported that the ex-CoS had cried for help after suspected operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly invaded his personal residence located off First Ugbor road, Benin City and arrested his personal assistant, Jaspa Olowojoba, when they could not find him. However, the DSS had denied the allegations saying that its officials did not carry out such operation as alleged by the former chief of staff.