S/West PDP decries Aregbesola's refusal to appoint HoS, Perm Secs

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West has decried the refusal of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, to appoint a Head of Service (HOS) and permanent secretaries in the state.The PDP said it was an aberration and outright illegality that Governor Aregbesola, alongside his functions as governor, performs the functions of Commissioner for Works while his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye- Tomori, holds the office of Commissioner for Education in addition to her position as the deputy governor.According to a statement issued on Monday by the PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Honourable Kayode Babade, "Osun State has not had a Head of Service since the immediate past HoS, Mr Segun Akinwusi, retired two months ago. There are no Commissioners for Works and Education since Aregbesola became governor 22 months ago and there are only six permanent secretaries in the state Civil Service."It should also be noted that in flagrant disregard to Sections 192, 193 and 195 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Aregbesola did not appoint a single commissioner until August 12, 2011, eight months after he became governor."Also, in spite of the fact that there are only six permanent secretaries in the state Civil Service, the governor has refused to appoint senior directors as permanent secretaries since last year. Instead, he uses consultants (from Lagos) in ministries instead of permanent secretaries.'"In addition, instead of appointing a new HoS to replace Mr Akinwusi, who retired two months ago, Aregbesola is planning to appoint someone from Lagos State, who will transfer his service to Osun State.'The PDP, which wondered why Aregbesola is obsessed with the Works Ministry, said; "It appears there is more to Aregbesola's obsession with the Works Ministry than meet the eyes. He has remained Commissioner for Works since 1999 that he was appointed in Lagos State by former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu."For over 11 years, Aregbesola was Commissioner for Works in Lagos State and even when he was contesting election as Osun State governor, and when he was at the Tribunal, he still held the position. Again, as Osun State governor, he has refused to relinquish the position, making him the longest serving Works Commissioner in Nigeria."Is there anything that Aregbesola know about the workings of the Works Ministry that others don't know' Or is it that he does not trust any of his men to handle the administration of the huge contracts and funds in the ministry'"It has therefore become pertinent that we call on law-abiding Nigerians to prevail on Governor Aregbesola to stop running Osun State like his private estate, and respect the laws of the land," PDP said.
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