I will not appoint anybody from PDP, APGA, others into my cabinet – Obaseki

Edo State Governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki, has stated he would not appoint anybody who worked against him into his cabinet when he takes over power in November 12.

Obaseki polled 319,483 to defeat his main rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who polled 253,173 in the just concluded governorship election in the state.

Speaking with newsmen in Benin City during the weekend, Obaseki, said, though he could explain the focus and vision of his administration to them, none of them would be appointed in his administration.

However, the outgoing Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, had at the inception of his administration in 2008, appointed three members of the Peoples Democratic Party into his cabinet.

Obaseki said, “I will not accept anybody from the opposition political parties as a commissioner in my cabinet.”

The governor-elect said he would immediately form a team for the purpose of preparing the 2017 appropriation budget.

According to him, he has to prepare the budget in order to hit the ground running as he had only four weeks to present it before the House of Assembly embarks on a recess.

Obaseki, who noted that the opposition had capitalised on the protests by some pensioners prior to the governorship election, said only 700 pensioners, out of the 11,700 who retired from the state civil service, were yet to be paid.

He said, “Some people took advantage of the electioneering and tried to get at us. People had hoped that with the anxiety to win election, we would have resolved the issues.’’