By Ozioruva Aliu 

BENIN CITY – THE Edo State government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday differed on the purported sack of civil servants as made by the party.

The immediate past Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare in  a statement said many of the purported “dismissed workers” were left in uncertain conditions, plunging numerous families and dependents into hardship.

The statement noted that “This is totally condemnable and unacceptable. How can a governor begin to sack workers in the State barely 24 hours after he was sworn in? This callous and rash action of the governor is a direct assault on workers and the people of the State, and we condemn it in its entirety. 

“It is reminiscent of the dark days of the military when after they illegally takeover power, they begin to sack and dismiss civil and public servants, using words such as “with immediate effect and automatic alacrity”

But a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okoebholo while denying the allegation described Nehikhare as a member of a faction of the PDP.

He said “The statement issued by the factional chapter of the PDP in Edo is a joke taken too far. The PDP is yet to recover from the crushing defeat it suffered during the 21st September governorship election in Edo State. 

“For the records, the statement released on Wednesday by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, did not sack any civil servants. Besides, no Governor sacks civil servants through a media pronouncement. 

“Those asked to go were appointees of the last administration in the State. The factional PDP in Edo State is ignorant, and its members need to be gainfully engaged. 

“Anyone in the State’s civil service that is an appointee has nothing to fear. But if you are a product of the last MoU government and appointed by Obaseki, the rule of law must stand.