Exposing Obaseki's Last-Minute Employment Gimmick: A Misguided Attempt to Derail Edo State's Progress.

 

By Hon Chief Dr Billy Osawaru Good Governance Platform. 

As the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki winds down, Edo State finds itself facing a disheartening situation. After eight years of tenure without adequately addressing the state's dire need for qualified teachers, Governor Obaseki has now chosen to initiate an emergency hiring spree just weeks before his exit. This hurried and questionable move not only underscores his failure to prioritize education over the years but also raises concerns about the intentions behind this last-minute action. Is this an honest attempt to address long-standing needs, or simply an attempt to create complications for the incoming administration?

Throughout his time in office, Governor Obaseki repeatedly claimed to be working on education reforms and teacher employment. Yet, despite these claims, the reality on the ground has remained starkly different. Schools across Edo State have suffered from a crippling shortage of teachers, affecting the quality of education and undermining the potential of countless students. Now, as he prepares to leave, the governor’s sudden attempt to hire teachers seems less about meeting an urgent need and more about creating a problem for the incoming administration.

Even more concerning is the plight of contract workers who were temporarily employed and discarded by the outgoing government. These individuals now risk being reintroduced through the “back door,” a move that reeks of political favoritism rather than genuine concern for educational standards in Edo. This practice only compounds the issues surrounding employment transparency and effective governance.

Governor Monday Okpebholo is set to take the reins with a commitment to prioritize fair and transparent hiring practices. His administration will address the staffing needs of Edo’s schools appropriately, ensuring qualified teachers are hired through a clear, merit-based process. Unlike the outgoing administration, Governor Okpebholo’s government will work inclusively, engaging all stakeholders in its vision for a better Edo.

For those who have been unfairly used and discarded by Governor Obaseki, rest assured that Governor Okpebholo’s administration will introduce meaningful opportunities, grounded in genuine need and equity. There is no room for last-minute, politically charged maneuvers aimed at sabotaging the next administration’s success.

Governor Obaseki’s eleventh-hour attempts will not derail Edo’s progress. With Governor Okpebholo’s forward-thinking approach, the education sector will finally receive the dedicated, sustainable attention it deserves. The future of Edo rests not in hasty, politically motivated acts but in genuine reforms that prioritize the welfare of all.