Uyi Igbinigie, Benin.
Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State may be embattled as he is embroiled in a bitter political fight with his erstwhile godfather, and predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole; a situation which culminated in his leaving the All Progressives Congress, APC.
However, his many political battles have not taken his eyes from the ball, especially with the strategic choice of commissioner for information and orientation he made recently.
In the heat of the struggle for supremacy between Gov. Obaseki and Oshiomhole, his Commissioner for Information, Barrister Paul Ohonbamu resigned suddenly.
It was calculated to further compound the woes of the embattled Governor. Indeed many thought his political enemies had hit him below the belt, since his Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele also resigned not too long ago.
But, for Obaseki, who seems to be highly underrated, pulled a masterstroke in his response to the resignation of his Communication and Orientation Commissioner.
Within 45 minutes after the resignation of Ohonbamu, the Governor announced Efe Stewart as a replacement with political pundits in Edo State considering the move a masterstroke.
According to Emmanuel Odeh, “the choice of Stewart is one of the best political moves by Obaseki especially at a time like this.”
Emmanuel Isa, a practicing lawyer in Benin City described the appointment of Stewart as “a deft political action anchored on pragmatic reality.”
Why are most members of the APC and Edolites impressed with Stewart’s appointment?
Ohonbamu, the former commissioner is from Egor local government area of Edo State just as Efe which makes the people of Egor not feeling left out in the administration of Obaseki.
Strikingly, Stewart is described as a very loyal, dependable and dogged politician.
“He has been a member of APC right from the formation of the defunct Action Congress of Democrats (ACD), later Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said Odeh.
He is said to control immense grassroots following. In the words of Isa, the Commissioner designate designate “is a workaholic who will work tirelessly to ensure the success of governor Obaseki’s programmes and policies.”
Also, Obaseki’s choice of Stewart is said to have taken into recognition his rich experience and exposure in the media world.
Until his appointment, Stewart was the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital in Uselu, Benin City.
“These are some of the attributes required to succeed as an effective Information Commissioner according to Isa.”
This is as many expressed the belief that Stewart’s appointment was also a reward for loyalty.
Two years ago, he contested for the Chairmanship of Egor local Government Council, and was highly favoured to clinch the post.
But the Party; APC decided that he steps down for Eghe Ogbemudia, daughter of two time governor of Edo State, Late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia.
He obeyed in Party interest hence he is viewed as a true loyalist.
In a brief chat with Vanguard, Stewart expressed gratitude for the recognition and appointment by Governor Obaseki asserting: “I will swim or sink with the Governor. Wherever he goes politically, I will follow him”.
