The Legal Adviser to Edo State Governor, Andrew Ewanta, has dismissed the claim that Governor Monday Okpebholo is waiting for the Supreme Court ruling on the September 21, 2024 governorship election before appointing other cabinet members.

Okpebholo has only appointed nine commissioners since he was sworn into office on November 12, 2024.

Ewanta, in an interview, said it was wrong to attribute the delay to the expected Supreme Court verdict.

He said Okpebholo had not committed any constitutional breach and had appointed commissioners and special advisers to other key ministries.

He said, “If he is waiting for the Supreme Court judgment, he would not have appointed the first set of commissioners.

“This is the first governor in Edo history to announce some members of his cabinet on the day of inauguration.

“Heads of agencies have been appointed. The government is moving at full throttle. Some people joined the APC from the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party. We have to accommodate them too.”

Ewanta stated that the governor inherited lots of decay from his predecessor and did not want any excuses from appointees when he (Okpebholo) began delivering on his five-point agenda.

On the fate of Peoples Democratic Party chieftains whose houses were marked for demolition for alleged cult-related activities, Ewanta said the police were still investigating the allegations.

Explaining why some contractors were yet to return to some sites in the state, Ewanta said Obaseki had left N600bn debt in road contracts, adding that many of the contracts were being reviewed.

“When the government came on board, the debts the previous administration was owing only for road contracts were over N600bn.

“In the twilight of that administration, they started awarding contracts to their cronies. Those are some of the things that are being looked at,” he said.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]