The Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Mr. Osarodion Ogie, has formally resigned his position to pursue his political ambition as the deputy governor of the state.
Ogie tendered his resignation on Friday, August 9, 2024, following his nomination as the running mate to the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
Ogie explained that his resignation aligns with the Electoral Law, which mandates that political appointees seeking to contest elections must resign 30 days before the election.
“It was in fulfillment of this requirement that I had to resign to pursue my deputy governorship ambition in the forthcoming state election,” he said.
Ogie’s resignation has received positive reactions, with the Publisher of Midwest Herald, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, describing him as a significant figure who has shaped Edo State politics like no other statesman.
Omo-Ojo, who was a cabinet member alongside Ogie in the administration of Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole, said, “Politics would not be in such a perilous state if more players followed Ogie’s wise yet ruthlessly pragmatic approach.”
“The humane, Clement, and tolerant Osarodion Ogie Esq. bows out of his office as Secretary to Edo State Government after a meritorious service of nearly 16 years,” he added.
In a similar vein, Kehinde Ozeto Akerele, the twin brother of former Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Taiwo Francis Akerele, congratulated Ogie, praising him for his open-door policy both in the office and at home.
“The first time I had a personal encounter with you (Ogie), I went home thinking, ‘So this is SSG like this.’ From the gate to your living room, nobody asked me who I was looking for. The next day, when you asked me to see you in the office with another person, it was still the same— all doors were open. Indeed, you are a great man. I wish you well in your future endeavors, good health, long life, and prosperity, Sir,” Akerele said.
Recall that Osarodion Ogie was the Principal Partner at Osarodion Ogie & Co. He also served as Chief of Staff to Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2008 and was later appointed Commissioner for Works from 2012 to 2016. He was appointed SSG by Governor Godwin Obaseki, a position he held until his resignation.