Real Reasons Gov Obaseki’s Chief Of Staff Resigned

BY CAMI EZENWA

It has now been authoritatively confirmed why Mr Taiwo Akerele, the Chief of Staff to Edo Governor, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki threw in the towel,

It hinges principally on his unwillingness to join in a supposed maligning game against the person of the former governor of the state, and national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshimhole.

Competent Edo sources say Akerela ranks among the individuals who have leveraged on the sphere of influence of Oshiomhole and as a result could not see himself turning against the man, who has also become a formidable force in Nigerian politics, but much more created a platform for him in the first place.

That is not however, the only angle proffered by those who seem to know.

For example, another said, the erstwhile chief of staff, had been running a personal agenda in the recent, not too certain the political outcome of things.

With elections due in the state in next two months, anyone who could not be trusted to fly strong political salvos would obviously be treated like an enemy,

“Given the peculiar brand of politics in the country, it would almost be treason to be seen to sit on the fence, or treating emergent matters with political gloves, when it supposed to be do or die.

All of these would translated to maligning and name calling for which obviously, Akerele was not ready for, at least if not sure where that would lead to.

Also, having worked as a technocrat in a different environment before now, he had seen the last few years of work in a political appointive position a dis-taste, but this latest viewpoint, according to another opinion.

Besides, insider opinions show that the Akerele of a man just plunged into his official brief, doing so much, especially in the last few years, with little or no accolades.

“It was obvious that he could not handle the intrigues for which work at the level is given. You know, Nigerian politics, if you must operate effectively there, you must be ready to play by the political rules” the fellow added without expantiating.

But give and take, intrigues, survival game and the drive to save one’s future were all touted as reasons for his move.

Reference is usually made of the hints he gave a few months ago in an interview,

He had said:

:“Government is not easy to run in Sub-Saharan Africa. I will not allow any of my loved ones to work in government, especially my immediate family, and of course, in particular, my children. There is nothing as demoralising as working so hard and receiving no commendation, but continuous criticisms.

“But for maturity and when you look at the impact you are making in the life of many people, I would have long left the scene and of course, one day, very soon, I still have to move on, for others to come and continue.

“If I am travelling to London or Lagos, I will remove one or two things that are personal to me in the office. So that in case I hear my removal on the radio, I do not need to come back here (his office).

“ I did not contest for the position, it is appointive.

This is my fourth year. I always live in confidence that I have done my best. “People do a lot to occupy this position. I do not want to say certain things, but I was just doing my work and I was appointed to be the chief of staff.

The position of chief of staff is very tough, particularly in Edo State that is politically very volatile.

“We do not have a system to calculate the intellect, man-hour, energy, and sleepless nights public servants spend and invest in the course of discharging their duties.

“Unfortunately for me, I have not been able to adopt 100 per cent political approach to my way of doing things, hence our work ethics are dictated by our orientation, working with the World Bank, the European Union, the Department for International Development (DFID) and other international bodies.

“Hence, sometimes when you do not get results, due to other people’s inability, after working so hard, it is quite frustrating.”

Certainly, it is still a developing story.