Ogun, where Consultants, Advisers act as Commissioners

Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun had appointed Consultants and Advisers to oversee the activities of the various ministries in place of Commissioners. 

Barely three months after his inauguration, Gov Abiodun is yet to appoint members of his kitchen cabinet; a situation that has been generating discussions among political observers in the state, especially when his colleagues in Lagos and Oyo have succeeded in doing same. 

Abiodun, it was learnt, had written the Ogun State House of Assembly in July,  requesting for the deferment of Commissioners’ appointment in favour of Senior Special Advisers and Special Advisers’ appointment.

Granting the approval at a plenary held at the Assembly Complex on July 2, the State House of Assembly gave Gov Abiodun the green light to appoint two senior special advisers and 20 special advisers to oversee the affairs of the state pending the appointment of Commissioners for various Ministries.

On July, Abiodun's new appointees were reported  as Chief Economic Adviser – Dapo Okubadejo; Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs – Hon. Tunji Egbetokun; Special Adviser on Information – Modele Sarafa-Yusuf; Special Adviser, Government House – Hon. Babatunde Olaotan.

Others are Special Adviser on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment – Mr Lekan Olude; Special Adviser on Housing – Jamiu Akande Omoniyi; and Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo. 

But it seems the governor, who has not appointed up to the number of Advisers he sought to appoint, has discreetly appointed consultants to man the ministries as he seems not ready to appoint commissioners for now.

African Advocate learnt that some of the consultants have been deployed to the governor's office or agencies for official assignments.

It was gathered that a total of 20 consultants had been appointed with portfolios and had since resumed for duties. 

Some of the consultants include Adeosun Adekunle for Revenue generation; Yemisi Ogundimu for the Ministry of Information and Strategy; Sola Arobieke for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Ade Adesanya for the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure; Olaoluwa Olabimtan for the Ministry of Budget and Planning; Biyi Adeleye for Political affairs among others. 

I am no under pressure to form cabinet - Abiodun 

Gov Abiodun has reacted that he is no under pressure to appoint his commissioners, saying he wanted to put the right peg in the right hole.

Speaking during the week when he played host to editors of a national newspaper in his office, the governor said:

"Nothing has prepared me for this job except my experience from the private sector but the private sector is different from the experience here. But I am striving to have the best people in the right places.

"A lot of people have talked about forming the cabinet. It is not about how quick but having the right peg in the right hole. I am not under any pressure by anybody to form the cabinet, nobody has put any pressure on me. I am the one putting pressure on myself to get the right people. 

"We are carefully looking for people and the process will be completed in few weeks. We are not short of stars in Ogun but you have to find them."

Meanwhile, political observers in Ogun State are of the opinion that the State Executive Council, which is the highest decision-making organ of government, has a role which could not be hijacked by advisers or consultants. 

The Ogun State Executive Council 

The Ogun State Executive Council, also known as, the Cabinet of Ogun State is the highest formal governmental body that plays important roles in the Government of Ogun State, headed by the Governor of Ogun State. 

It consists of the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and Commissioners who preside over ministerial departments, and the Governor's special aides.

The Executive Council exists to advise and direct the Governor. Their appointment as members of the Executive Council gives them the authority to execute power over their fields, on behalf of the government.

As it is, the Ogun State Executive Council is yet to be formed as it has Gov Abiodun, his Deputy, Nimot Salako-Oyedele; Secretary to the State Government, Olatokunbo Talabi; the Head of Service, Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu; and the Chief of Staff, Shuaib Salisu, but no Commissioners.

The council meets weekly to take decision of government projects, policies and programmes for the development of the state. 

Presently, the weekly State Executive Council meeting has not been holding in Ogun State as there are no commissioners in place. This, some locals believe has been responsible for the slow pace of work in Ogun State.