GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State in a major move yesterday took a firm grip of the state finances, ordering commercial banks to suspend transactions on the accounts.

Also, he sacked all political appointees of the former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor.Meanwhile, former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday while congratulating Governor Oshiomhole tasked him to deliver on the promises made to the people of the state.

Although the governor did not give any idea on how long the accounts will be frozen, political watchers said the move was to stem possible unauthorised movement of funds.

According to sources, even commitments entered into before the change will be verified before payments are authorised.

The Action Congress (AC) in congratulating the new governor requested that he investigates whether his predecessor had paid the alleged N50 million levy by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) towards the building of its new National Secretariat. The N10 billion fund raising dinner for the secretariat is slated for Abuja on Saturday.

A statement signed by Mrs Betty Igbehi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, directed all bank managers where all government monies were lodged, to keep a hold on all such accounts.

The statement also announced that all political appointees had been relieved of their posts and directed them to hand over all government property in their custody.

It specifically directed them to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their ministries and at the Government House, the Director of Central Administration in the Governor’s Office.

Oshiomhole swears-in SSG

The government’s first three key appointments, Mr Pally Iriase, Secretary to the State Government; Mr Ogie Osarodion, Chief of Staff and Mr Eric Osagie, Director of Public Affairs were sworn-in yesterday at Government House, Benin.

The Governor at the swearing-in ceremony, advised the new Secretary to the State Government to throw overboard the old method of doing things and fashion out a new system in the overall interest and development of Edo State .

“No one who will be appointed by this government will come in to perpetrate the old culture. I do not want to hear that this is how we do it,” Governor Oshiomhole warned, saying Mr. Iriase was appointed because of his track record and his contribution to the development of his people.

While observing that the state has lost 19 months, he said his administration was in a hurry to deliver and observed that Edo people had new hope for improved performances backed up by quality achievements.

He urged Mr. Iriase to guide against the use of government funds for congratulatory advertorial messages, even as he advised him not to allow himself to be used by professional praise-singers, who, he said, go on the pages of newspapers to send congratulatory messages.

IBB congratulates, tasks Oshiomhole

Former President Babangida lauded Comrade Oshiomhole’s victory at the Appeal Court in Benin, saying it was a reflection of his grassroots appeal and love for the ordinary folks out there.

Gen. Babangida in the congratulatory message entitled: “Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole, a Big Congratulations” and made available to Vanguard in Abuja yesterday, said: “Your declaration as the Governor of Edo State by the Court of Appeal on that super Tuesday, 11th November, 2008 after such a long almost unending legal battle has set a new precedence in our political economy as a developing nation.

“But for your resilience and strength of character, which have become part of your selling points, the people would have been weary. Typical of you and your struggles, you trudged on and proved bookmakers wrong that it was possible to dare and alter the status quo. You braced all odds and exhibited a deep passion for due process, rule of law and democracy.”

IBB, in the congratulatory message signed by his Media spokesman, Prince Kassim Afegbua, noted: “As a man who is driven by his convictions, you have remained with the people and now have opportunity to serve them in an executive capacity as a governor. This is your time.

“I have elected to call you Comrade Governor even before you invented that prefix. A Comrade is a Comrade whether as Governor, President or Councillor. What matters is how much you are able to impact on the lives of the people positively, and make life more meaningful to them than the ordinary mundane activities of mankind.

“I have no doubt in my mind that you can deliver on your promises to the good people of Edo State and fulfill the burning aspirations of the collective. This will be the stimulation and attraction of your government.

“When I reflect on the good old days when I was President and you were on the side of Labour, I could still recall your rare ability to present your demands to government without ambiguity. Your sense of mobilisation was also not in doubt. Your grassroots appeal and love for the ordinary folks out there seems to me your strongest asset.

“It is my patriotic belief that you will use your good offices to translate all these attractions into something more rewarding, meaningful and productive for the good people of Edo State who have shown you support, love and affection in the struggle thus far.

“On behalf of my wife and family, accept from me my most sincere wishes and a big congratulation on this achievement. It is my wish also that the Almighty God grants you the rare wisdom to pilot the affairs of the State in the next four years. You can always count on my support.”

…Ogbemudia too

A member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees and two-time Governor of defunct Bendel State , Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, in a congratulatory message said: “I have known you as a dogged, committed and tenacious fighter. It is my hope that you will bring such doggedness, commitment and tenacity to bear on the huge task of governance ahead of you.

“True, we are in different parties, but above this, we are both sons of Edo State to which we owe irreducible loyalty. Therefore, service to our state comes over and above party affiliations”, he said.

… Orji also

Also, Gov Theodore Orji of Abia State in a congratulatory message said Oshiomhole’s victory is a development that is good for Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Hart, Orji noted that the beauty of multi-party democracy the world over was the existence of a strong and virile opposition and noted that the emergence of an Action Congress (AC) Governor in Edo State would stimulate the opposition in Nigeria.

He noted that the judgment had also dispelled the notion of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a domineering behemoth that will seek to hold unto power at all costs by manipulating the judicial process to suit their ends.

By Gabriel Enogholase, Chris Ochayi, Tony Osauzo and Uduma Kalu | Vanguard