Edo PDP Drowns in Confusion as Citizens School Critics Over Commissioners’ Swearing-In Directive

Edo PDP Drowns in Confusion as Citizens School Critics Over Commissioners’ Swearing-In Directive

As Edo State prepares for the official swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed Commissioners under the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again exposed its growing disconnect from governance realities.

Over the weekend, the PDP’s online sympathizers mocked a circular from the Governor’s Office, Directorate of Human Resources Management, inviting Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, and senior civil servants (Grade Level 14–17) to attend the event. The opposition attempted to portray the directive as political interference in the civil service — a narrative that quickly fell apart as citizens and professionals weighed in with informed perspectives.

Among the many reactions on social media, two stood out for their clarity and composure:

> Kenny Oziametu Akerele:

“It’s not a bad idea. Check those invited. Very senior civil servants that will be working directly with these incoming political officers. This is not a campaign ground unlike the previous govt that invited all civil servants from GL6 to GL8 first day and GL9 to GL16 2nd day to Victor Owaifo Hub for a campaign Rally. This is a very serious top govt function and the civil servants are needed..”

> Victor Osagie Akpata:

“Well it could be a matter of protocol and respect not necessarily a legal duty. Is also necessary that commissioners being political heads of ministries and agencies, may need to be introduced and coordinate early with senior civil servants. Their presence could facilitate immediate interaction, clarity of roles, alignment etc”

These reasoned interventions reflected the general mood across the state — that the opposition’s outcry was misplaced and ill-informed. Citizens argued that involving top-level bureaucrats at such a stage was not only standard practice but also a mark of administrative order and synergy.

Analysts further noted that the swearing-in of Commissioners is not a partisan event but a critical step in ensuring continuity in governance. The presence of senior civil servants helps bridge the gap between policy formation and implementation, ensuring that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) hit the ground running immediately after portfolios are assigned.

However, beyond the measured reactions, several Edo residents took a more critical tone toward the PDP, accusing it of “idle politicking” and “disconnected relevance-seeking.” The party, which remains deeply factionalized following its controversial state congress, appears to have shifted focus from substance to sensationalism — a move that has drawn ridicule from the public.

Observers say the renewed hostilities by the PDP are a desperate attempt to regain visibility in a political landscape now firmly shaped by Governor Okpebholo’s pragmatic and people-driven leadership.

In the words of one resident, “When governance is working, opposition noise becomes background music.”

Edo, it seems, is indeed shining again — and no amount of political wailing will dim that light.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah is the Principal and CEO of Bush Radio Academy.