Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has sacked Hon. Samson Osagie as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

Osagie was among the first persons sworn-in as Commissioners immediately the Governor assumed office.

No reason was given for the sack.

Speculations have been rife that Osagie would soon be kicked out of Okpebholo’s cabinet after Prof. Roland Otaru was nominated as Commissioner.

Though the sack has not been announced, his name was missing among the list after the Governor sworn-in new Commissioners.

Besides the sacking of Osagie, Governor Okpebholo also increased Ministries in the State to 28.

A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, explained the increment was to “ensure the seamless alignment of the Governor’s SHINE Agenda with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Ahmed Tinubu.”

It said the restructuring was to enhance administrative efficiency, improve coordination across critical sectors and strengthen the capacity of Government to deliver effectively on its mandate to the people of Edo State.

In the list, no Commissioner was assigned to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

Sr. Felix Ehiguese Akhabue was assigned to the Ministry of Works; Hon Andrew Ijegbai was assigned to Ministry of Mining; Prince Kassim Afegbua was assigned to

Ministry of Information and Strategy while Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Paul Ohonbamu was redeployed to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Omoh Anabor was deployed to the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment; Dr. Jerry Uwangue was assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponwosa was assigned to the Ministry of Livestock Development.

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainability has Barr. Nosa Adams as its Commissioner; Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole and Dr. Paddy Iyamu were retained in the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education respectively.

The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has Dr. Lucky Eseigbe as its Commissioner; Ministry of Lands and Housing has Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa. Ohimai Ehijimetor is Commissioner of Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy while Hon. Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi was assigned Ministry of Science and Technology and Dr. Washington Osifo was retained in the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.

In his reaction, Osagie said Governor Okpebholo has done well, stating he was grateful for the opportunity to serve. (The Nation)