Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo State
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The announcement, which was made public through a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, takes immediate effect.
Truth Live News gathered that the government described the appointment as a strategic move to strengthen reforms in the state. “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff,” the statement read.
Hon. Audu, 55, boasts an impressive academic and political résumé. He holds an HND from Auchi Polytechnic, a PGD in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University, and an M.Sc in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja, obtained earlier this year. His political career includes serving as Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010 and as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly (Etsako West Constituency 1) from 2015 to 2023. Notably, Audu was the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the contentious 2020 Edo State elections.
While the government paints this appointment as a step forward for Edo State, critics have raised questions about Audu’s track record and the implications of his close ties to the APC, a party that lost the governorship seat in 2020.
“Is this really about reforms or a consolidation of political loyalties?” one opposition leader asked, suggesting that the appointment may prioritize political alignments over merit.
Public sentiment has also been mixed. While some residents see Audu as a seasoned politician capable of delivering results, others express skepticism about whether this move will translate into tangible improvements in governance.
Governor Okpebholo, who has pledged to focus on developmental reforms, may face growing pressure to demonstrate that appointments like this will prioritize the needs of the people over political calculations.
As Hon. Audu assumes office, all eyes will be on how effectively he supports the governor’s administration in fulfilling its promises to Edo State residents. Whether this appointment will mark a new chapter of progress or reinforce existing concerns remains to be seen.