By Emmanuel Iriogbe, Abuja.
In a calculated attempt to further consolidate on his grip on power, Gov. Godwin Obaseki has assigned portfolios to new commissioners and Special Advisers he appointed recently.
This is as he has also effected minor cabinet reshuffle. It would be recalled that the governor had dropped cabinet members said to be loyal to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
There has not be any love lost between Obaseki and his predeccessor whom he accuses of interference in the governance of the state.
With the governor’s action, political watchers are of the view that the parley held only last week in Abuja where business mogul, Aliko Dangote tried to broker peace between both men may have hit the rocks.
Those assigned portfolios after their successful screening by the Edo State House of Assembly include; Marie Edeko, (Ministry of Social Development), Damian Lawani, (Ministry of Youth), Joe Ikpea, (Ministry of Minerals, Oil and Gas), and Momoh Oise Omorogbe, (Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning).
Others are: Felix Akhabue, (Ministry of Cooperatives and Wealth Creation), and Moses Agbakor, (Ministry of Energy)
Obaseki at the weekly State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Benin City, also effected minor reshuffle of his cabinet to deliver on key tasks.
?In the minor cabinet reshuffle, the former commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo, was moved to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, while the former Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale now heads the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Erstwhile Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai, now heads the Ministry of Education.
The five Special Advisers who were appointed alongside the commissioners in the first week of July, were also assigned portfolios.
Andrew Momodu is the Special Adviser, Public Order and Security, while Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, is now the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, in Edo South.
Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen, former Commissioner for Women Affairs is now Special Adviser Political Matters, Edo Central; the former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto is the Special Adviser, Parliamentary Issues; while Ojo Asien, is now Special Adviser, Political Matters, Edo North.