By Ogochukwu Isioma
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has suspended the Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Caulson Osoikhia Oahimire, from office.
His suspension comes a little over two months after he assumed office on the 14th of February, 2025 as the new EDSPHCDA Executive Secretary, following his appointment by Governor Okpebholo.
In a statement on Tuesday issued by Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., Secretary to the State Government, the governor cited allegations of grave financial and official infractions as reasons for the suspension.
While specific details of the allegations were not made public, Ikhilor said a special committee will be constituted by the government to investigate the various allegations and submit a report to the Governor.
In the meantime, the most senior staff member in the agency will step in to manage its affairs pending the outcome of the investigation, to avoid disruption in healthcare services across the state.
The decisive move by the Governor sends a clear message that the Okpebholo administration is not out to tolerate corruption or mismanagement, not even in a sector as sensitive as health.
Okpebholo had in February this year suspended the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie and the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani, over similar allegations.
Though the governor later recalled Osagie from suspension in March, following his exoneration from allegations of grave official and financial infractions by the investigative committee set up to look into the claims in February.
